Glen Spey
Sir Walter Gilbey and his brother Alfred began importing wines from France, Spain and Portugal in London in 1857 - and within a few decades built a spirits empire spanning 22 distilleries in 18 countries, from Canada (Black Velvet, Smirnoff) to Thailand (the local bestselling blend "Spey Royal"). In 1887 the Gilbey brothers bought a small corn mill near Rothes that had been converted into a distillery in 1878 under the name "Mill of Rothes" - becoming the first English owners of a Scotch malt distillery: Glen Spey. After merging with United Wine Traders to form IDV in 1962, the once-famous Gilbey name gradually faded from memory, but Glen Spey still produces a delicate, floral malt right in the centre of Rothes today, most of which disappears into J&B blends.Code: PFINGSTEN26
Content: 0.7 Liter (€65.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€135.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€65.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€149.99 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€101.41 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€95.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€122.84 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€155.70 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€189.99 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Content: 0.7 Liter (€101.41 / 1 Liter)
Available, delivery time: 3-6 business business days
Who were the Gilbey brothers?
Sir Walter and Alfred Gilbey built one of the largest spirits empires of their time from a London wine import business - at its peak spanning 22 distilleries in 18 countries. With the purchase of Glen Spey in 1887, they became the first Englishmen to own a Scotch malt distillery.
Where does Glen Spey whisky go today?
Most of the production goes into J&B blends, which trace back to the Gilbey tradition. Official single malt bottlings are correspondingly rare and sought after among connoisseurs.
Flavour profile
Taste: Light, fragrant and floral with a fine sweetness - an approachable, unassuming Speyside malt.
Recommended enjoyment: Neat as an aperitif, or as a gentle introduction to the world of Speyside malts.
The 12-year-old Flora & Fauna bottling shows the distillery's character best: Glen Spey 12 Year Old Flora & Fauna.
Facts and figures
Founded 1878 by James Stuart & Co. as "Mill of Rothes". Owned by the Gilbey family since 1887. Merged to form IDV in 1962, part of Diageo since 1997. Capacity approx. 1,400,000 litres.