Glen Spey 13 Years Old 1985 (Authentic Collection)

This Glen Spey was bottled by Cadenhead, a 13 year old, distilled in 1985, at 60.9%, one of 222 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt from Rothes, founded in 1878 as the Mill of Rothes. When the firm merged with Justerini and Brooks, Glen Spey became a key malt in the J and B blend. Its stills were doubled from two to four in the 1970 expansion, the make still light and grassy.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt, for a fine, clean malt the blenders have long prized. Finished in an Oloroso cask, the wood building on the light spirit. In integration coconut and vanilla knit with the malt, the hay softening towards a nutty honey. 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. Because the purifiers keep the spirit light, the cask shows clearly through the years.

Bottled at a cask strength 60.9%, it is concentrated. Fresh cut grass, green apple and a nutty malt, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. Soft meadow grass and a nutty malt sit behind the cask. Green apple, grass and a soft oak see it out. This is a quiet, characterful Speyside single malt.