Glen Spey (2015/2023) - Sansibar
Young whiskies with over 60 % ABV can either be real insider tips or completely impetuous alcohol clubs. The Glen Spey 2015/2023 from Sansibar with 60.1% ABV lies somewhere in between. Sometimes it is round and pleasant, sometimes you wonder whether it could have done with a few more years in the cask.
The panel
Mean 75.0 · spread 0
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- Glen Spey
- Bottler
- Sansibar
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Speyside
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 7 years
- Strength
- 60.1% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
The nose is light and spring-like. Vanilla, hay and floral notes dominate the picture, accompanied by lemony freshness and unripe fruit. Sounds nice at first, but somehow that certain something is missing - the flavours seem as if they haven't quite found each other yet.
Palate
Here comes the surprise: despite the 60.1%, Glen Spey is round and surprisingly accessible. Caramel provides a pleasant sweetness, while red fruits blend in discreetly. The high alcohol strength is well integrated without burning the palate - an unexpected plus point.
Finish
Here the whisky shows another interesting side: chocolate, oak, a hint of red fruit and a pleasant spiciness. The bitterness is pleasant and well integrated this time - not a disruptive tannin bomb, but a worthy finish.
Verdicts
Marcel
A whisky that, despite its youth, remains surprisingly charming and approachable – the Glen Spey 2015/2023 shows that 60% ABV doesn’t necessarily mean fireworks. The floral notes and pleasant sweetness are enjoyable, even if it still lacks that certain extra maturity. For anyone brave enough to explore new dram territories, it’s definitely worth a try.
Sascha
The Glen Spey 2015/2023 impresses with a remarkably balanced integration of its high alcohol strength and a clean structure that feels pleasantly rounded despite its youthful freshness. The balance between floral, fruity, and spicy elements is solid, yet the lack of complexity and slight immaturity limit the potential of this 7-years whisky. Recommended for fans of powerful Speyside who are looking for a well-tuned, albeit still developing, dram.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Glen Spey as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £83 across 30 lots · 2024-08