Glen Moray 25 Years Old 1994 (SMWS 35.255)

A Glen Moray of a 25 year old chosen by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, distilled in 1994, from cask 35.255, bottled at 58.1%, one of 234 bottles. Glen Moray is a light, sweet Speyside malt, founded in 1897 on the banks of the River Lossie. Its make is a key malt in the Cutty Sark and Label 5 blends.

The spirit was run through the stills on River Lossie water for a light make, for a light, easy spirit with a soft malt. A bourbon barrel held it, the wood adding a light vanilla and a soft honey. In the oxidative, evaporative years concentration brings dried fruit, honey and a waxy depth over the apple. Years in oak round the spirit, the green apple deepening to honey and dried fruit. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s.

Bottled at a cask strength 58.1%, it is rich. A light, orchard fruit and toffee, with a soft vanilla from the oak. The texture is light and clean, the fruit lifted by vanilla. A long, fruity finish carries a green apple and a soft spice. This is an approachable Speyside single malt from Elgin.