Glen Moray 31 Years Old 1986 (SMWS 35.223)

This Glen Moray was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, a 31 year old, distilled in 1986, from cask 35.223, bottled at 56.5%, one of 139 bottles. Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt and a pioneer of wine cask finishing. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s.

The spirit was distilled from unpeated malt in copper pot stills, building a light, accessible character of orchard fruit and vanilla. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the orchard fruit. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the light malt to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of sotolon, dried fruit and old oak. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the orchard fruit growing richer with time. A pioneer of wine cask finishing, Glen Moray has long layered fruit over its light malt. The light spirit suits a wide range of cask finishes, from sherry to rum.

At cask strength 56.5% it is full bodied. Green apple, vanilla and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.