Glen Spey 24 Years Old 1996 Cask #HL 18198 (Old Malt Cask)

Chosen by Hunter Laing, the Glasgow bottler of the Laing family, this a 24 year old Glen Spey, distilled in 1996, from cask HL 18198, at 46.1%, one of 207 bottles. Glen Spey is a delicate, grassy Speyside single malt, light and clean in the glass. Most of its spirit goes to blends; single malt Glen Spey is rare, and largely the work of independents. It is one of five distilleries in the whisky town of Rothes, in the heart of Speyside.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, shaping a light body with a soft, waxy edge. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the light fruit. Through the evaporative decades the esters fold into mango, beeswax and a nutty honey. Years in oak round the spirit, the fresh notes deepening towards a nutty honey and orchard fruit. The lantern stills set a light, fresh tone that the oak then slowly deepens. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice.

At 46.1%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. Fresh cut grass, green apple and a nutty malt, over a gentle, creamy oak. A green apple and a gentle spice lift the middle. The finish runs delicate, grassy and dry. This is a light, grassy Speyside single malt.