Glen Moray 16 Years Old 2001 (SMWS 35.204)

A 16 year old Glen Moray from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 2001, from cask 35.204, bottled at 58.9%, one of 522 bottles. Glen Moray, founded in 1897 in a former brewery, is one of Speyside's best loved malts. It runs a large still house at Elgin, expanded over the years to meet demand.

The spirit was drawn off the stills for a clean, fruity Speyside spirit, giving a clean, sweet Speyside spirit. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the apple. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and dried fruit. Its make is a key malt in the Cutty Sark and Label 5 blends. It was founded in 1897 in the converted Elgin West Brewery, on the banks of the River Lossie. The light spirit suits a wide range of cask finishes, from sherry to rum.

At its natural 58.9% it is concentrated. Green apple, honey and a gentle oak, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is light and clean, the fruit lifted by vanilla. Apple, pear and a soft oak see out the finish. This is Glen Moray, a pioneer of cask finishing.