Glen Spey 10 Years Old 2012 Exploration Series (Claxton’s)

A 10 year old Glen Spey from Claxton's, distilled in 2012, at 50%. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt whose purifier stills give a light, grassy spirit. The distillery is said to be watched over by the ghost of a soldier who died on the site. James Stuart held the licence to Macallan at the time, and bought that distillery outright in 1886. It was bottled as a single malt in Diageo's Flora and Fauna range in 2001, one of its rare official outings.

It was distilled from unpeated malt, for a fine, clean malt the blenders have long prized. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a hint of coconut from the lactones. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the grassy spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. The lantern stills set a light, fresh tone that the oak then slowly deepens. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the delicate Speyside spirit.

At a natural 50% it is full and nutty. Green grass, light honey and a nutty malt, over a gentle, creamy oak. Pear, hay and a creamy vanilla fill the middle. The close is light and clean, grass over a gentle oak. This is a light, nutty Speyside single malt.