Glen Spey 12 year old Flora & Fauna Single Speyside Malt Whisky 43%

Not every hero wears a cape — some wear a label with a bird. Glen Spey 12 year is one of the quiet classics from Diageo's Flora & Fauna series: a distillery that rarely performs as a soloist, here caught in a bottle in its purest form. Fruity, light and genuinely accessible.

Expert's description

Glen Spey 12 year Flora & Fauna is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in oak casks and bottled at 43% as part of Diageo's Flora & Fauna series. Glen Spey distillery sits at the heart of Rothes, Speyside, and is one of the smallest in Diageo's portfolio. Founded in 1878 as Mill of Rothes by James Stuart, acquired by W. & A. Gilbey in 1887 and since 1962 part of IDV, later Diageo. Almost all production goes into the J&B blend, and official single malt bottlings have historically been rare.

The Flora & Fauna series was launched in 1992 by United Distillers (now Diageo) as a tribute to distilleries that don't normally appear as single malt. The 26 original labels depict plants and animals from each distillery's local environment. Twelve years in oak casks at 43% produces a classic, balanced Speyside profile: fresh, floral and gently fruity with a creamy mid-palate.

Tasting notes

Nose

Fresh and floral with light citrus — lemon, grapefruit and clementine — underpinned by green apples, pears and a faint vanilla sweetness. Freshly cut grass and a hint of malted bread.

Palate

Soft and silky on the palate with orchard fruit — green apples and pears — combined with toffee, vanilla and a discreet spiced oak element. Orange and light almond round off the mid-palate.

Finish

Medium-length and clean with fresh fruit and a gentle sweetness. Classic, uncomplicated Speyside finish.

Specifications

Name: Glen Spey 12 year Flora & Fauna
Distillery: Glen Spey
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 43%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
EAN no.: 5000281016108

Flavour profile

Floral · Fruity · Light · Creamy · Fresh

Did you know?

The name "Flora & Fauna" is credited to whisky writer Michael Jackson, who helped United Distillers market the series in the early 1990s. The labels depicting local plants and animals have since become highly sought after by collectors.

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Frequently asked questions about Glen Spey 12 year Flora and Fauna

Is Glen Spey 12 year Flora and Fauna worth the price?

Yes — it is one of the most affordable official Speyside single malts from Diageo. An authentic 12-year-old with good complexity and excellent drinkability for everyday enjoyment.

What is the Flora and Fauna series?

Flora & Fauna was launched in 1992 by United Distillers (now Diageo) to showcase distilleries not normally bottled as single malt. The original 26 releases feature local plants and animals on the labels — a series that has since become iconic in the whisky world.

What makes Glen Spey's style distinctive?

Glen Spey uses purifiers on its spirit stills, which increase reflux and create a lighter, more perfumed spirit. This is a technical detail with a major impact on flavour — and the reason why J&B has Glen Spey as a core component.

What is the connection to J&B?

J&B (Justerini & Brooks) is one of the world's best-selling blended whiskies, and Glen Spey's light, floral character is one of its key components. Most of the distillery's production is reserved for J&B.

Who produces Flora & Fauna?

Diageo, the world's largest spirits company, is responsible for the series — bottlings from a wide range of Scottish distilleries that rarely appear as single malt.

Is Glen Spey suitable for beginners?

Yes — the floral, fruity and light style is an ideal starting point for new whisky drinkers. Not unusual, not aggressive, just good and approachable.

What is Rothes in Speyside?

Rothes is a small town in Speyside with four active distilleries: Glen Grant, Speyburn, GlenRothes and Glen Spey. Despite its size, it is an epicentre of the Scotch whisky world.

What food goes with Glen Spey 12 year?

Cheese with mild character, light chocolate or fresh nuts. Serve neat at room temperature or with a drop of water in a Glencairn glass — see our range of whisky glasses.