Glen Spey 10 Years Old 2012 Cask #367831 (James Eadie)

This Glen Spey was bottled by James Eadie, a 10 year old, distilled in 2012, from cask 367831, at 59%, one of 304 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt, most of it long destined for the blender's vat. It sits below the ruins of Castle Rothes, once the seat of the Earls of Rothes. Under Gilbey it took the Glen Spey name and supplied the house Spey Royal blend.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, for a delicate make of fresh grass and orchard fruit. A Pedro Ximenez cask held it, drawing the light spirit deeper over the years. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the grassy spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Maturation in the racked warehouses is slow and even, the Speyside air cool and steady. Years in oak round the spirit, the fresh notes deepening towards a nutty honey and orchard fruit.

At a natural 59% it is full and nutty. Fresh cut grass, green apple and a nutty malt, with raisin, date and treacle from the cask. The mouthfeel is light, a faint waxiness carrying the fruit. A fresh finish closes on a nutty malt and a soft oak. This is a grassy Speyside malt of real delicacy.