Glen Moray 13 Years Old 2008 Cask Series 018 (North Star)

A 13 year old Glen Moray from the Glasgow bottler North Star Spirits, distilled in 2008, bottled at 58.8%, one of 157 bottles. Glen Moray is a fruity Speyside malt made on River Lossie water at Elgin. It closed in 1910 and reopened in 1923 under Macdonald and Muir of Glenmorangie.

It was worked through the stills for a light, sweet make, for a clean make of orchard fruit and a soft honey. Maturation finished in a Red Wine cask, layered over the light Glen Moray make. Integration folds eugenol (clove) and vanillin (vanilla) into the malt, the body softer and the fruit riper. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. Glen Moray has long made an accessible, fruity Speyside in the classic style. Its water is drawn from the River Lossie, which runs past the distillery at Elgin. Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Moray character lead the way.

At a hearty 58.8% it carries real weight. Green apple, honey and a gentle oak, with red berry and a dry spice from the cask. It is fresh and fruity, the light spirit shining through. The finish is long, fruity and clean. This is an approachable Speyside single malt from Elgin.