Glen Moray 10 Years Old 2012 (Hepburn’s Choice)

From the Glasgow bottler Hunter Laing, a 10 year old Glen Moray, distilled in 2012, bottled at 46%, one of 182 bottles. Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt and a pioneer of wine cask finishing. It was built on Gallow Hill at Elgin, the old site of the town's hangings.

It was made on River Lossie water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for a light, easy spirit with a soft malt. Most Glen Moray begins in American oak ex-Bourbon, the base for its cask finishes. By the integrating teens congeners fade and esters build, the light, fruity spirit growing rounder. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its apple and pear. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and dried fruit. Glen Moray has long made an accessible, fruity Speyside in the classic style.

At an approachable 46% it is light and easy. Green apple, vanilla and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run green apple, pear and a soft vanilla. The finish is rounded, fruity and clean. This is a Speyside single malt of real value.