Glen Spey 1991/2016 The Pearls of Scotland 24 years old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 49.5%

August 1991. A cask is filled at Glen Spey in Rothes. The world pays no attention. And then it waits — 24 years and six months — until Gordon & Company pulls bottle number 30 of 291 in February 2016 and puts the cork in. That is the definition of patience.

Expert's description

Glen Spey 1991/2016 The Pearls of Scotland 24 year is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Speyside matured in a single cask for 24 years and bottled at 49.5% by Gordon & Company. The Pearls of Scotland is Gordon & Company's series of cask strength bottlings — "a pearl is something valued highly for its beauty and rarity" is the philosophy behind it. Each release is single cask, bottled at cask strength, without colouring or chill filtration.

24 years in a single cask produces a whisky of rare complexity. Glen Spey's light, floral base character has had time to transform: the fruit has become jammy and concentrated, the oak has added vanilla depth and a light nutty resinousness, and the natural strength of 49.5% still holds everything in balance. Cask no. 2533 yielded exactly 291 bottles — no. 30 is the one you see here.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dense and malty with dark chocolate and a sharp green apple note. Blueberry and vanilla reveal themselves slowly, followed by pale honeycake and a faint suggestion of leather.

Palate

Vanilla-first, full and creamy with apple and orange as supporting elements. The tannins from the extended cask life are balanced by natural sweetness — never sharp, always well-integrated.

Finish

Long and creamy with rich toffee and a gentle oak note. Warm and slowly fading — the classic hallmark of a well-aged single cask.

Specifications

Name: Glen Spey 1991/2016 The Pearls of Scotland 24 year
Distillery: Glen Spey
Bottler: Gordon & Company (Distillers) Ltd. – The Pearls of Scotland
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 24 years
ABV: 49.5%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single Cask
Bottled: February 2016
Number of bottles: 291 (bottle no. 30)
Cask no.: #2533
EAN no.: 5060371830663

Flavour profile

Malty · Chocolatey · Creamy · Fruity · Vanilla-rich

Investment potential

High — a 24-year single cask bottling from 2016, now over 10 years old as a release. Only 291 bottles exist, and Glen Spey single malts of this age are extremely scarce.

Did you know?

Glen Spey was the first Scottish distillery to come into English ownership when W. & A. Gilbey — a London wine merchant — acquired it in 1887. It opened the door for English capital in the Scottish whisky industry.

See our full range of Glen Spey

Frequently asked questions about Glen Spey 1991 The Pearls of Scotland 24 year

Is Glen Spey Pearls of Scotland 24 year worth the price?

Absolutely. A 24-year single cask bottling from a period now more than 30 years in the past, with only 291 bottles globally — this is a rare find at a reasonable price.

What is The Pearls of Scotland?

The Pearls of Scotland is Gordon & Company's series of exclusive cask strength bottlings from selected Scottish distilleries. The philosophy: a pearl is something valued for its beauty and rarity. Every release is single cask, natural colour, no chill filtration.

What makes a 24-year whisky special?

With 24 years in a single cask, Glen Spey's light, floral base character has had time to develop into something far more complex. The oak contributes vanilla depth and tannic structure, and the fruit becomes jammy and concentrated.

When was it distilled and bottled?

Distilled in August 1991, bottled in February 2016 — exactly 24 years and six months in the same cask no. 2533.

How many bottles exist?

Exactly 291 bottles from a single cask. The bottle here is number 30 of those 291. The bottling is sold out at source.

Can whisky be aged too long?

It depends on the cask and the climate. Beyond 20 years, tannins can dominate, but good cask quality and a cool Speyside environment — like Rothes — deliver balance even at high age. This 24-year-old is a fine example.

What is natural colour?

Natural colour means no caramel colouring (E150a) has been added. The colour in the glass comes solely from the cask and the whisky itself.

What is Glen Spey's connection to J&B?

J&B (Justerini & Brooks) is one of the world's best-selling blended whisky brands. Glen Spey's light, floral character provides J&B with its typical fresh profile. Most of the distillery's production still goes there.