This SnapShot features four offerings from Glen Moray. This is a Speyside distillery we have not encountered as a group before but when one of us encountered a tasting set while traveling, we read it as a call to action. Having the chance to try any kind of distillery vertical is a chance not to be missed. Some of us used another opportunity while traveling together to spend an evening exploring the tasting set. We realize these scotches do not represent the entirety of the offerings from Glen Moray but felt it served as a proper introduction. As always in this series, these are pretty off the cuff impressions. Onward!
Aperitif: There are lots of valid reasons for a distillery or corporation to not assemble tasting flights like this one from Glen Moray. Bottling in multiple sizes adds additional costs and complexities that many distilleries are not keen on embarking upon, especially smaller distilleries. In the US at least, the 50ml sample bottles in general are mostly seen filled with vodkas, tequilas, and maybe a few rums. You do see some scotches in these sized bottles but it is a relatively narrow offering. Even rarer are when these bottlings are assembled together into tastings sets like this one. From an enthusiasts’ perspective, though, these types of sets are golden opportunities for exploration (as we’ve seen before).
Elgin Classic – Be patient. Let this breathe or you will be disappointed if you rush it. First blush on the nose gets classic vanilla and spring blossoms, like if scotch had a scratch and sniff in the book of delicious beverages. Honey enters on the palate and the finish has warm tannins, pleasant and drying with a hint of sweetness. It doesn’t have any angular tones that will intrude on the tasting experience. A gentle and welcoming tableau for what’s to come. These gentle whiskies are a great introduction to single malts if you only drink blended scotch. It’s smooth.
Sherry Finish – A bouquet of tangerine zest, sweet cloves and heather intertwine on the nose. At the right angle of the glass, a hint of vanilla wafts by followed by a nip of astringency. The palate is pleasant with the tangerine from the nose translating to taste. A dessert wine mouthfeel, especially after the initial burst of flavor, that doesn’t burn the mouth. The finish brings a lingering warmth, and medium tannins result in a pleasantly long and generous finish. It may not be overly complex but it is approachable and drinkable.
Port Finish – The nose is reminiscent of something not found in the world of nature, which is not meant as a slander. Big grape on the nose, dancing with florals and melon. A balanced perfume with assertive plums. The nose translates directly into the palate, integrated without being rushed or compressed. The lush stewed stone fruits, florals, with the sweet vanilla from the wood and lingering fruits closing out the finish. A hint of raisin with a burst of perfume a clean finish. It is dangerously easy to drink.
Cabernet Finish – Really important to let this one sit in your glass for a few minutes or you may be unpleasantly surprised. Be patient. The nose has orange and spice and everything nice. Like Bigelow’s orange and spice tea. Behind it all lurks the vanilla and a whiff of toast. On the palate, fruit gives way quickly to assertive tannin and big oak. The finish – only with a slightly bigger sip – features the wood roaring back with just a hint of nice sweetness at the end. It has an assertive oak character, which encourages us to come back for another sip and start the cycle again.
Conclusion: Glen Moray is a great introduction to scotch if you only drink Irish or Canadian whiskies, and they’re a great introduction to whisky if you’re a white wine lover. These concepts are not to be dismissed lightly. People come to good whisky from various experiences and perspectives, some of them carrying traumatic memories like an encounter with Laphroaig in a dark alley. While we love a good Islay it is easy to see why a distillery like this could appeal to a lot of whisky drinkers or whisky-curious. While these Speysides are gentle and approachable, scotch drinkers who may be used to higher proof products, especially cask strength whiskies, might wish these were released at a slightly higher proofage. We would encourage any distillery or brand who is able to assemble such a set to do so and cheer on all whisky enthusiasts to procure them. The ability to compare and contrast these different offerings against one another allowed a deeper comparison. We didn’t love every sample but were able to identify common traits among all of them to find a distillery signature of sorts, along with exploring how wine casks could influence those core elements. We walked away from this set subjectively enjoying the Port Finish the most and we can now recommend multiple expressions of Glen Moray in the future to fit a variety of whisky drinkers, along with looking forward to our next encounter.
