Glen Keith Chivas Brothers – Cask Strength Edition 17 Years Old 1996

A 17 year old Glen Keith, a distillery bottling, from 1996, cask Batch GK 17 001, at 54.9%, 800 bottles in all. Glen Keith is a Speyside single malt made behind Strathisla, mostly for the Chivas blends. It was mothballed in 1999 and revived by Pernod Ricard in 2013 after a full refit.

The spirit was run through the tall stills on Balloch Hill water for a light make, building the fresh Glen Keith style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the light spirit. Through oxidative maturity esters concentrate, the apple turning honeyed and a soft tropical fruit creeping in. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the orchard fruit growing richer with time. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and tropical fruit. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Its make went largely into the Chivas Regal, Passport and 100 Pipers blends.

At 54.9%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. A light, orchard fruit and citrus, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A soft fruit and a gentle oak give it depth. Apple, pear and a soft oak see out the finish. This is Glen Keith's clean, fruity Speyside style.