Glen Spey 11 Years Old 2010 Cask #803007 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

A Glen Spey of an 11 year old chosen by the Vintage Malt Whisky Company, distilled in 2010, from cask 803007, at 54.5%, one of 360 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt, most of it long destined for the blender's vat. The distillery is said to be watched over by the ghost of a soldier who died on the site. It was bottled as a single malt in Diageo's Flora and Fauna range in 2001, one of its rare official outings. It sits below the ruins of Castle Rothes, once the seat of the Earls of Rothes.

It was distilled in tall onion shaped stills, for a fine, clean malt the blenders have long prized. Maturation came in a Port cask, layered over the fresh Glen Spey make. By the integrating teens the raw notes fade and esters build, the grassy spirit growing rounder and a touch waxy. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice.

At a natural 54.5% it is full and nutty. Fresh cut grass, green apple and a nutty malt, with red berry, plum and a dry spice from the cask. Beneath it run fresh grass, light fruit and a nutty malt. Green apple, grass and a soft oak see it out. This is a grassy Speyside malt of real delicacy.