Glen Moray 18 Years Old (47.2%)

An 18 year old Glen Moray, a distillery bottling, at 47.2%. Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt known for vanilla, honey and orchard fruit. Its water is drawn from the River Lossie, which runs past the distillery at Elgin.

Drawn off the stills for a clean, fruity Speyside spirit, for the light, fruity make Glen Moray is known for. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth. Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Moray character lead the way. A pioneer of wine cask finishing, Glen Moray has long layered fruit over its light malt. The accessible, fruity make is the base for the distillery's many cask finishes. The light spirit suits a wide range of cask finishes, from sherry to rum. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s.

Bottled at a cask strength 47.2%, it is rich. Apple, pear and a soft vanilla, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run green apple, pear and a soft vanilla. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is an approachable Speyside single malt from Elgin.