Diageo Dynamo #3

Back to the ridiculousness that is Diageo's Limited Edition series:

Glen Spey 21 Year Old 2010 Limited EditionSingle Malt Whisky 750ml - $179.99

The Glen Spey was BY FAR the most off the cuff and unusual malt of the tasting.  While the bottle states that it was aged in "new American Oak casks that had also held sherry" (malts.com), this group of tasters had one observation that was unanimous across the board.  "It tastes like Rye Whiskey!"  Having convinced ourselves that this had indeed been aged in oak that previously held American Rye whiskey, despite no indication of this being the case, the Glen Spey qualifies as one of the most surprising and daunting Single Malt tastings in recent memory.  The nose is all baking spices (distinct rye flavors here), redwood bark, with a slight hint of ripe pomaceous fruit.  Toffee sweetness and that rye spice continue on the palate.  I wrote salt water taffy, but the saltiness is illusive.  The malt and the sherry push through on the palate, which continues to be dominated by cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and a little dustiness.  All in all an incredible experience, although it did feel like a series of double takes.  If you can afford it, this is a malt you'll never forget or regret. Distilled in 1988, Only 5844 Bottled at 50.4% unchillfiltered. 

-David Girard