Two young Glen Spey


December 6, 2022

Little Duos, today two young Glen Spey

Glen Spey is one of those 'little' names that we love to try every once in a while. In fact, we try as many as we can and if good people don't care too much about these shier players, well, they should.

Rosehip tea (vaya.in)

Glen Spey 11 yo 2010/2022 (Signatory Vintage, Un-chillfiltered Collection, 1st use hogshead, cask # #804789+804790)

I would suppose 1st use means 1st fill, unless there would be a story about re-coopering or similar matters here. Or a new hogshead made from fresh barrels? Colour: white wine. Nose: I think we're getting that '1st use', which would translate into more vanilla and coconut than usual. We're almost nosing a fresh opened pack of coconut balls and macaroons, then rather muesli with bits of apples. Quite curiously, this is all balanced and fresh, while in my book, coconut is never a good sign (wine or spirit too fresh). After a good fifteen minutes, you'd almost believe you're nosing some Irish pure pot still. Mouth: same feeling, word for word. Is this Redbreast undercover? Sweet and sour apples, clover honey, coconut and papayas, that combo rings a bell indeed… Finish: medium, on the same flavours plus a little white pepper and cinnamon. Some rosehip tea too and perhaps a little sawdust in the aftertaste. Comments: another one to pour blind to your friends.
SGP:641 - 85 points.

Glen Spey 10 yo (46%, James Eadie, Small Batch, recharred hogshead, casks #801625+801626, 753 bottles, 2022)

Probably not a dissimilar setup here… Colour: pale white wine. Nose: we're very close, which was to be expected, this one being just a little rounder, less 'acidic' as far as the fruitiness goes, less 'Irish', yet more honeyed… Some fresh pastries, angelica, perhaps parsnips (as they're all the rage these days). Mouth: closer yet. Lovely tartness, a lot of complexity to be found if you give it a little time, including something coastal, around anchovies, and even some kind of sweet risotto. Say risotto with orange juice and bits of white asparagus, how does that sound? Finish: medium, honeyed, very close to the Signatory. Peppery aftertaste (black pepper plus Szechuan). Comments: it's always great to try whiskies that are this similar, that pushes your limits and lets the tiniest nuances come out, but scores cannot be different.
SGP:651 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Glen Spey we've tasted so far