Glen Moray 17 Years Old 1998 Cask #980003443 (A.D. Rattray)

From the bottler A.D. Rattray, a 17 year old Glen Moray, distilled in 1998, from cask 980003443, bottled at 54.8%, one of 282 bottles. Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt from Elgin, known for its light, fruity and accessible style. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s.

The spirit was run through the stills on River Lossie water for a light make, for the light, fruity make Glen Moray is known for. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the orchard fruit. At oxidative maturity vanillin and lactones are fully expressed, the light fruit deepening to honey. Long ageing turns the fresh apple towards dried fruit, honey and a soft spice. It closed in 1910 and reopened in 1923 under Macdonald and Muir of Glenmorangie. Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Moray character lead the way. It runs a large still house at Elgin, expanded over the years to meet demand.

At a hearty 54.8% it carries real weight. A clean, fruity sweetness, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Soft orchard fruit and a creamy vanilla sit behind the cask. It finishes light, fresh and fruity. This is a Speyside single malt of real value.