William Cadenhead 12 Years Old (Cadenhead’s)

William Cadenhead 12 Years Old (Cadenhead's) is a 12 year old blended Scotch from Cadenhead's. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with Speyside malt such as Glen Spey for a light, grassy core. James Stuart held the licence to Macallan at the time, and bought that distillery outright in 1886. Under Gilbey it took the Glen Spey name and supplied the house Spey Royal blend. When the firm merged with Justerini and Brooks, Glen Spey became a key malt in the J and B blend. Most of its spirit goes to blends; single malt Glen Spey is rare, and largely the work of independents.

The Glen Spey within gives fresh grass and a soft nutty malt. First fill bourbon gave a fuller vanilla and a hint of coconut from the lactones. Long ageing turns the green, herbal edge towards orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice. Built for the blender's art, the light make ages with quiet grace as a single malt.

Bottled at 46%, it is light and rounded. Fresh grass, light fruit and a nutty malt run through it. It is grassy and gently nutty, the delicate spirit shining through. It finishes light, fresh and faintly nutty. A characterful blended Scotch.