Glen Spey 32 Years Old 1989 Whisky Sponge (Decadent Drinks)

A 32 year old Glen Spey from Decadent Drinks, distilled in 1989, at 60%, one of 114 bottles. Glen Spey is a Speyside single malt from Rothes, founded in 1878 as the Mill of Rothes. James Stuart held the licence to Macallan at the time, and bought that distillery outright in 1886. Its stills carry purifiers, which raise the reflux and return the heavier vapours for a lighter, cleaner spirit.

Worked unhurried through the stillhouse, for a fine, clean malt the blenders have long prized. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a light vanilla and a touch of honey. At a great, fragile age oxidation rules, sotolon lending maple and dried fig as beeswax and a nutty honey linger. Built for the blender's art, the light make ages with quiet grace as a single malt. Maturation in the racked warehouses is slow and even, the Speyside air cool and steady.

At 60%, undiluted, it is deep and waxy. Pear, cereal and a green, grassy lift, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft oak give it shape. A long, grassy finish carries a light fruit and a nutty malt. This is a light, grassy Speyside single malt.