Glen Spey 11 Years Old 2011 Cask #802433 (van Wees)

An 11 year old Glen Spey from van Wees, distilled in 2011, from cask 802433, at 58.4%, one of 279 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt, long a quiet backbone of the J and B blend. Its stills carry purifiers, which raise the reflux and return the heavier vapours for a lighter, cleaner spirit. Its stills were doubled from two to four in the 1970 expansion, the make still light and grassy. The distillery is said to be watched over by the ghost of a soldier who died on the site.

Taken gently through wash and spirit stills, building a light, fragrant spirit with a thread of nuttiness. Ex-Bourbon casks held it, the gentle American oak letting the spirit lead. 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 its natural 58.4% it is rich and grassy. A light meadow grass and orchard fruit, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is grassy and gently nutty, the delicate spirit shining through. Green apple, grass and a soft oak see it out. This is a grassy Speyside malt of real delicacy.