Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 43%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered Yes
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 68.00
Official website: N/A
Vote: 68/100
Established as the Mill of Rothes by James Stuart & Co. in 1878, adding distilling equipment to the existing oatmeal mill, Glen Spey got its name nine years later, passing into the ownership of London-based W. & A. Gilbey, already owners of Knockando and Strathmill.
The history of the distillery is quite similar to many others in Scotland, with several changes of hands, a few hiccups (including a fire in 1920), before ending up with the current Diageo ownership in 1997, which uses the whisky produced on site to make the blended J&B.
This is in fact the only official expression of Glen Spey, flanked over time by a couple of limited editions (Manager’s Dram and Manager’s Choice) for employees only.
A characteristic of the distillery is the use of a purifier, a sort of small condenser that returns part of the alcohol vapour to the still to be redistilled, resulting in a lighter and ‘cleaner’ distillate in the same way as Glen Grant.
The label depicts a Goldcest, a bird at home in the pine forest around the ruins of Rothes Castle, near the distillery.
Tasting notes
Nose with a light note of cinnamon on apple, baked pear, almond, honey, wet cereal, lemon drop. Rather simple and fresh, with floral touches and an impression of bread dough, while a vague hint of cardboard appears on the length.
A sparkling of ginger and pepper entering the mouth, light-bodied, with youthful scents of cereal and yeast over hints of fruit (unripe banana, pear, pineapple), lemon, metallic note and again that cardboard-chewing sensation.
Medium lenght finish, alcoholic and metallic, with cereal, pepper and a hint of bitterness.
A very basic whisky, lacking in personality and with many, way too many edges to the point of bordering on the repulsive. Pity.
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The Whiskyphiles