Glen Spey 29 Years Old 1995 The 26 #16 (Maltbarn)

Maltbarn bottled this Glen Spey, a 29 year old, distilled in 1995, at 54.1%, one of 42 bottles. Glen Spey is a light, fragrant Speyside malt of fresh grass and a nutty malt. James Stuart held the licence to Macallan at the time, and bought that distillery outright in 1886. Most of its spirit goes to blends; single malt Glen Spey is rare, and largely the work of independents. The distillery is said to be watched over by the ghost of a soldier who died on the site.

It was distilled in tall onion shaped stills, the purifiers paring it back to a light, grassy core. An Oloroso cask held it, drawing the light spirit deeper over the years. In the oxidative, evaporative years the spirit concentrates to tropical fruit, honey and a waxy, nutty depth. The lantern stills set a light, fresh tone that the oak then slowly deepens. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and a soft coconut over the fruit.

At a natural 54.1% it is full and nutty. Fresh grass, pear and a creamy almond, with dried fruit, fig and walnut from the cask. A green apple and a gentle spice lift the middle. The close is light and clean, grass over a gentle oak. This is a fresh, fragrant Speyside single malt.