Glen Moray 19 Years Old 1998 (Authentic Collection)

From the Campbeltown house Cadenhead, a 19 year old Glen Moray, distilled in 1998, bottled at 55.5%, one of 240 bottles. Glen Moray, founded in 1897 in a former brewery, is one of Speyside's best loved malts. Its make is a key malt in the Cutty Sark and Label 5 blends.

Distilled from unpeated malt in copper pot stills, for a clean make of orchard fruit and a soft honey. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, oak lactones lending vanilla and a little coconut. Into oxidative maturity, slow air ingress builds fruity ethyl esters (apple and pear) and a honeyed depth. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The accessible, fruity make is the base for the distillery's many cask finishes. Refill oak lets the light, fruity Glen Moray character lead the way. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s.

Bottled at a cask strength 55.5%, it is rich. Green apple, vanilla and a soft honey, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is fresh and fruity, the light spirit shining through. A fresh finish ends on apple and a soft oak. This is an approachable Speyside single malt from Elgin.