Whisky Review: Glen Spey 21-Year-Old

Soft and sweet, especially when considering the ABV. Luscious mouthfeel. Very nice. Flavors of fresh, unbaked pie crust, with a touch of vanilla, honey, and pear. All the flavors are mingling exceptionally well. The transition to the finish is an absolute delight. This is where the cask strength really pays off. Without the long and substantial burn, I think the dram would become sickly sweet and unbalanced. The finish is the star of the show here, which is saying a lot considering how enjoyable the nose and palate are. No huge notes lingering in the aftertaste. Simply a remnant of the burn with soft sweetness hanging on. Quite well done. Final Thoughts & Score/Buy A Bottle: Score: 92/100 My first thought is that this is a fantastic introduction to cask-strength whiskies for the newcomer, though not the most practical one. (Ain’t that always the way?) My curiosity was piqued by the labeling before cracking the seal on the bottle. A limited expression from the Diageo stable is bound to catch the eye, but seeing terms such as “natural cask strength” gracing the label of a whisky old enough to legally drink itself further enhances the allure. This could have easily been yet another bottling of a forgettable single malt which only benefits from getting lost in a larger blend. The presentation here saves the dram from that fate. I find myself wanting to get to know Glen Spey more closely as there are subtleties and nuances here that are deeply gratifying. The flavors are expressive and layered. The finish is borderline legendary. Limited editions should always leave the consumer wanting more without feeling like anything was missing. Glen Spey 21-year-old is how limited editions are properly done.