Glen Spey 18 Years Old 1997 Cask #HL 11239 (Old Malt Cask)

An 18 year old Glen Spey from Hunter Laing, distilled in 1997, from cask HL 11239, at 50%, one of 249 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt, owned by the London gin house Gilbey from 1887. Its stills were doubled from two to four in the 1970 expansion, the make still light and grassy. It was bottled as a single malt in Diageo's Flora and Fauna range in 2001, one of its rare official outings.

The spirit was taken gently through wash and spirit stills, the purifiers paring it back to a light, grassy core. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the light fruit. Into oxidative maturity, slow air builds fruity esters of apple and a light tropical note over a nutty depth. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice. Active wood frames the fruit without ever crowding the delicate Speyside spirit. The lantern stills set a light, fresh tone that the oak then slowly deepens.

At its natural 50% it is rich and grassy. Pear, cereal and a green, grassy lift, over a gentle, creamy oak. A green apple and a gentle spice lift the middle. It finishes light, fresh and faintly nutty. This is Glen Spey's clean, nutty Speyside character.