Glenrothes 9 Years Old DMor (Dràm Mòr)

Dràm Mòr is a Glasgow based independent bottler operated by Viv and Kenny Macdonald, presenting single cask releases at natural strength with a focus on European cask finishes and sherry styles outside the standard Oloroso and PX defaults. This Glenrothes 9 Years Old was bottled in 2020 from cask 2851 at 58%, with 340 bottles released into European markets after a full term or finishing maturation in a Moscatel sherry cask.

Moscatel sherry differs structurally from Oloroso or Pedro Ximenez. The Moscatel grape carries higher concentrations of floral terpenes (geraniol, linalool, citronellol) than the Palomino used in Oloroso, and the sherry style itself sits between Fino and PX in sweetness. A cask seasoned with Moscatel arrives carrying those terpenes alongside the standard sherry sugars, contributing a floral and grape forward profile rather than the savoury walnut chemistry of well aged Oloroso. Nine years in cask delivers a young but cask forward profile.

The nose lifts dried apricot, white grape and lavender alongside a polished oak undertone, the terpenes lending an aromatic complexity unusual for Speyside fruit. The palate carries honey, dried pear and saffron with the 58% strength supporting the cask's chemistry without overpowering. The finish runs medium long with toasted oak grip and a final whisper of muscat grape sweetness, leaving the cask's distinctive character lingering.