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.
Tasting Notes
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.
Thoughts
Marcel 75/100
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 75/100
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.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersRelated Reviews
Glentauchers 11 Years 2012/2024 - Signatory Vintage
The Glentauchers distillery in Speyside is one of the lesser-known but not exactly small distilleries. This is primarily because there is no visitor center, and most of the production is used in blended whiskies. Besides its own core range bottling, there are occasionally independently bottled Glentauchers malts. Today, we sampled the 11-years from the 100 Proof series by Signatory Vintage. The latter is very popular with us, and we were looking forward to this dram.
83/100
Auchroisk 2010/2023 12 Years - Sansibar
The Auchroisk 2010/2023, matured for 12 years and bottled by the independent bottler Sansibar, is a single malt whisky from Speyside that demands attention. With a strong alcohol content of 60.80 % ABV, it brings a strong presence to the glass, but will not suit all tastes.
72/100
Dailuaine 2012/2022 - Malts of Scotland
You don't see Dailuaine bottlings that often. So we are all the more delighted to once again have a dram from this distillery in our glass. The single malt matured for around 10 years in a bourbon hogshead was bottled, as always unfiltered and uncoloured, in 2022 by Malts of Scotland as a Corona Edition.
80/100Frequently Asked Questions
How does the high alcohol strength of 60.1% affect the tasting experience of the Glen Spey 2015/2023?
Despite the high 60.1% ABV, the Glen Spey 2015/2023 presents itself as surprisingly smooth and approachable. The alcohol strength is well integrated without burning the palate, allowing the whisky’s pleasant sweetness and subtle fruit notes to shine through.
Why does the aroma of the Glen Spey 2015/2023 seem somewhat underdeveloped on the nose?
The spring-like nose with vanilla, hay, floral notes, and unripe fruit suggests that the whisky is still young and that the aromas haven’t fully melded together yet. A longer maturation in cask could bring more harmony.
What distinctive characteristics does the Glen Spey 2015/2023 bring to the finish?
On the finish, the Glen Spey offers a pleasant balance of chocolate, oak, red fruits, and a subtle spiciness. The bitterness is well integrated, providing a dignified and not overly dominant conclusion.