Glen Spey 13 Years Old 2011 Cask #802834 (The Vintage Malt Whisky Co Ltd.)

This Glen Spey was bottled by the Vintage Malt Whisky Company, a 13 year old, distilled in 2011, from cask 802834, at 51.5%, one of 318 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt made on Doonie Burn water at Rothes. It passed to the London gin house W and A Gilbey in 1887, the first English firm to own a Scottish distillery. It was founded in 1878 by the grain merchant James Stuart, who added stills to an old oatmeal mill.

Distilled in tall onion shaped stills, for a delicate make of fresh grass and orchard fruit. It was matured in a Sauternes cask, the wood working into the light malt. Through integration the spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper orchard fruit over the nutty malt. Maturation in the racked warehouses is slow and even, the Speyside air cool and steady. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice.

At 51.5%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. A delicate, fruity malt with a waxy edge, with honeyed apricot and a candied citrus from the cask. A green apple and a gentle spice lift the middle. A long, grassy finish carries a light fruit and a nutty malt. This is a grassy Speyside malt of real delicacy.