This humble blog welcomes two new additions to its pages: Glen Keith Distillery and Wemyss Malts. Strangely enough, I was convinced I had already covered both, but it turns out I did not have – so it’s time to fix that! Before diving into the tasting and review of the Glen Keith 1996 Wemyss Malts, named Sweet Disposition, let’s take a moment to introduce both the distillery and the independent bottler.
Glen Keith Distillery
Glen Keith Distillery, located in the town of Keith in the heart of Speyside, is a distillery with a rich history of innovation and experimentation. Established in 1957 by Chivas Brothers, then owned by Sam Bronfman’s Seagram empire, the distillery was built to meet the rising demand for blended Scotch, particularly Chivas Regal, Passport, and 100 Pipers. Bronfman selected the site of a former meal mill, strategically located behind Strathisla, Chivas’ flagship distillery, creating a hub for both production and experimentation.
From the outset, Glen Keith was designed to push boundaries. It began by running triple-distilled malt, alternating with double-distilled production until the 1980s. It became the first distillery to use gas-fired direct heating and conducted trials with wheat mashes, various yeast strains, and even peated variants. One such peated expression, Glenisla, was uniquely produced by passing peat smoke through water, which was then concentrated. The distillery’s differently shaped and sized stills further supported its role as a Seagram experimental plant, where it continued to innovate for decades. Today, it still houses the Chivas Brothers laboratory.
Despite its role in blending, Glen Keith occasionally released its single malt, such as a 10-year-old expression, but it was never positioned as a flagship malt. Independent bottlers have since offered rare glimpses of Glen Keith’s potential, including some experimental variants like Glenisla.
Mothballed in 1999 during a downturn in the whisky industry, Glen Keith lay dormant for over a decade before being revived by Pernod Ricard in 2013. A complete refit modernised the distillery with a new mash tun and washbacks, signalling a renewed focus on single malt production. However, close to no official expressions were released for a few years except for a Distillery Reserve expression, and now the 21, 25, 28 and 31-year-old in the Secret Speyside range from Pernod-Ricard.
Wemyss Malts
Wemyss Malts is a family-owned independent bottler renowned for its carefully curated and creatively named Scotch whiskies. Established in 2005 by the Wemyss family, the company combines a deep appreciation for whisky with a passion for craftsmanship and quality. The Wemyss family’s roots are intertwined with the whisky world, with their historic home, Wemyss Castle, overlooking barley fields long associated with Scotch whisky production.
In addition to their work as an independent bottler, the Wemyss family expanded their whisky journey by establishing Kingsbarns Distillery in 2014. Located in the East Neuk of Fife, not far from the family’s ancestral home, Kingsbarns focuses on crafting light, fruity, and elegant whiskies using local Fife barley and long fermentation times, followed by slow distillation in copper pot stills. The first core release, Kingsbarns Dream to Dram, debuted in 2019, showcasing the distillery’s hallmark style of orchard fruits, vanilla, and gentle spice. Since then, they’ve released a few more expressions, some of which we’ll review very soon.
Glen Keith 1996 Wemyss Malts ‘Sweet Disposition’ Review
This Glen Keith 1996 was matured for 25 years in a single refill sherry butt before being bottled in 2021 by Wemyss Malts. It was released at cask strength, 53.6% ABV, with no added colouring or chill filtration, yielding 492 bottles. While it’s still available in the UK for around £175 and in France for approximately €210, prices in the US carry a significant premium, with some listings nearing $500.
Colour:
Old gold.
Nose:
Neat: Bright and summery notes of orchard fruits and honey lead the way, gradually giving way to more autumnal aromas of dusty hay, cinnamon, and dried figs. Subtle hints of corn flakes, buttery shortbread, and a delicate touch of strawberry soup.
With water: A splash of water unveils refreshing menthol and eucalyptus, alongside a burst of tropical fruits and gentle whispers of aniseed.
Palate:
Neat: A lively peppery arrival introduces slightly sour fruits, balanced by tropical hints of passion fruit and pineapple. Notes of icing sugar and zesty lemon follow, accompanied by warming spices, a touch of oak, and a refreshing hint of menthol.
With water: The spice profile shifts, bringing a fiery kick of chili and ginger. Unexpectedly, a subtle suggestion of ash or smoke emerges, adding intrigue despite the malt being unpeated.
Finish:
Oak-driven spices take the lead, accompanied by a slight astringency. Darker fruit notes of cherries and blackcurrant add depth, rounding out a medium-length finish.
Comments:
A nice nose leads to an even better palate, where the tropical fruit notes I often associate with middle-aged Glen Keith truly shine. The refill sherry butt complemented the spirit beautifully, allowing its character to take centre stage without overwhelming it. This Glen Keith 1996 from Wemyss Malts is an excellent whisky, though with a touch less pepper and a bit more fruit, it could have been nearer perfection. That said, it’s still very good – a solid 7 in my book.
Rating: 7/10
Thanks Ginny!
