Glen Moray 33 Years Old 1986 Cask #7025513 (Duncan Taylor)

The Huntly bottler Duncan Taylor bottled this Glen Moray, a 33 year old, distilled in 1986, from cask 7025513, bottled at 53.7%, one of 74 bottles. Glen Moray is a Speyside malt from Elgin, the heart of the Cutty Sark and Label 5 blends. It was a pioneer of wine cask finishing, working with Chardonnay casks back in the 1990s.

Made on River Lossie water and condensed in shell and tube condensers, for a clean make of orchard fruit and a soft honey. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fresh, fruity character to the fore. Ethereal and fragile, decades draw the light malt to a honeyed, waxy delicacy of sotolon, dried fruit and old oak. The light, fruity make takes cask flavour well while keeping its apple and pear. It was founded in 1897 in the converted Elgin West Brewery, on the banks of the River Lossie. The cool Speyside air gives a slow, even maturation in the Glen Moray warehouses at Elgin.

At cask strength 53.7% it is full bodied. A light, orchard fruit and toffee, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pear, honey and a creamy toffee fill the middle. The close is light and clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is a Speyside single malt of real value.