Glen Moray 11 Years Old 2008 (SMWS 35.254)

This Glen Moray was bottled by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, an 11 year old, distilled in 2008, from cask 35.254, bottled at 63.9%, one of 594 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 distilled light and fruity in the Glen Moray style, for a light, easy spirit with a soft malt. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending vanilla and a little coconut. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into a rounded vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper apple and pear. The light spirit suits a wide range of cask finishes, from sherry to rum. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. It was founded in 1897 in the converted Elgin West Brewery, on the banks of the River Lossie.

At a hearty 63.9% it carries real weight. Green apple, vanilla and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. A baked apple and a gentle spice lift it. A long, fruity finish carries a green apple and a soft spice. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.