Glen Spey 10 Years Old 2011 Cask #802462 + 802463 (Signatory)

Signatory Vintage, the Edinburgh house that now bottles at Edradour above Pitlochry, bottled this Glen Spey, distilled in 2011, from cask 802462 + 802463, at 46%, one of 462 bottles. Glen Spey is a delicate, grassy Speyside single malt, light and clean in the glass. Its stills carry purifiers, which raise the reflux and return the heavier vapours for a lighter, cleaner spirit. Most of its spirit goes to blends; single malt Glen Spey is rare, and largely the work of independents.

It was worked unhurried through the stillhouse, building a light, fragrant spirit with a thread of nuttiness. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a hint of coconut from the lactones. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the hay softening towards a nutty honey. Built for the blender's art, the light make ages with quiet grace as a single malt. Maturation in the racked warehouses is slow and even, the Speyside air cool and steady.

At an approachable 46% it is fresh and clean. Pear, cereal and a green, grassy lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft oak give it shape. The finish runs delicate, grassy and dry. This is a fresh, fragrant Speyside single malt.