Whisky Focus - Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Glen Spey 2004 Review

Review of Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Glen Spey 2004.

Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Glen Spey 2004 was matured in Refill Bourbon Barrels and bottled on the 29th September 2013 at 46% ABV.

There has been very little original distillery bottlings of Glen Spey over the years, in recent times there has been the excellent Glen Spey 12 year old Flora & Fauna bottling and a rather expensive Diageo Managers Choice 21 year old bottling back in 2010 but there has been very little for whisky connoisseurs to explore from Glen Spey.

The Gordon & MacPhail ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range was launched in the mid-1960s’. Until this time, many of the whiskies the range featured would not have been available as single malt. Today, Connoisseurs Choice retains this exclusive nature with a range of rare and sought after single malts from distilleries throughout Scotland including this Glen Spey 2004 Speyside single malt whisky.

William Morrison's Tasting Notes:

Nose:  Some sweet vanilla, a grassy touch, a little candied fruit and some lovely gentle oak spice.

Taste: Smooth creamy vanilla and some lovely honey is joined by some sweet lemon citrus, just a touch of orange, the grassy touch from the nose and some lovely oak spice.

Finish: A little orange and lemon but it is the grassy notes and delicious gentle oak spices which hang around longest, becomes a little peppery.

Comment: A charming very enjoyable light bodied expression from a distillery which we see way too little of. It has a lovely touch of vanilla, honey and delicious spices which you would expect to find in Glen Spey.

SMW Score 87/100

You can find the full current Gordon & MacPhail whisky range available from specialist whisky retailers such as Master of Malt

As part of the the ongoing series of reviews here on the SMW website highlighting Gordon & MacPhail's philosophy of  ‘The Wood Makes the Whisky’ I have reviewed a number of single malt whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail's whisky Collections: Connoisseurs Choice, The MacPhail’s Collection and Rare Vintage, which demonstrate their philosophy of "The Wood Makes The Whisky".

Recently added Gordon & MacPhail whisky reviews:

• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Glen Spey 2004 Review
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Inchgower 2002 Review
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels Strathisla 2005 Review
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength Caol Ila 2005 Review

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