Glen Keith is a very young distillery (1957) that has been mothballed in 1999. All the equipment is still in place, so maybe one day Chivas will restart production. Releases are rare.

About a year ago a similar Glen Keith distilled in March 1990 was bottled by Douglas Laing in their Old Malt Cask series.

Glen Keith 19 yo 1990 (52,1%, Malts of Scotland 2010, cask 13678, 232 btl.)

Nose: mild and fruity with mostly white fruits: pear, nectarine, white grapes. Some lime. Reminds me of vinho verde, very fresh with a mineral touch. Quite some beeswax. Marmalade. Develops on green notes (grass and sage maybe?) Hints of chamomile and wheat flour as well. The whole has a slightly bubblegummy fruit profile – quite uncommon but very attractive, and it keeps developing over time. Lovely. Mouth: honeyed attack. The same fruits show up (+ apple and pineapple) and they’re backed by spices from the bourbon cask. Hints of ginger and pepper, some cinnamon. Hints of mocha in the aftertaste. Finish: medium length, round with milk chocolate and spices.

The name Glen Keith does not have much fame, but this will open your eyes (and mouth). Fresh and mature at the same time. Dangerous stuff because it drinks like lemonade. Around € 75. Recommended.

Score: 89/100