Glen Moray Elgin Classic

By Barry Bradford on September 5, 2013 • ( Leave a comment )

Glen Moray Elgin Classic (40%, OB, 2013)

Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
Origin: Glen Moray Distillery
Bottling: La Martiniquaise
ABV: 40%
Cost: £22.45

What they say:

Glen Moray is a classic Speyside single malt whisky owned by Glenmorangie. Glen Moray is a quality malt whisky from the heart of Speyside. We use ex bourbon barrels sourced from North America to mature Glen Moray and these produce a whisky with rich and spicy characteristics. These casks deliver a superior product that has a smooth and well-rounded taste.

Glen Moray Classic Tasting Notes:

‘Shortbread, butterscotch and lemongrass’

Colour:

Light gold.

Nose:

At full strength, the aroma is fragrant and lightly drying with warming malty notes. The first impression is of butterscotch and shortbread with fresh herbal/grassy notes. Lemon curd and meringue are discovered in the background. With water, malt and spices combine to reveal oatmeal with a hint of freshly ground black pepper. Lemongrass, tea-tree oil and heather aromatics give the whisky a fragrance throughout.

Taste:

The mouthfeel is lightly spiced with a warming and gently mouth watering effect. Malty toffee sweetness is present throughout with blackcurrants and a fragrant citrus lemongrass tang.

Finish:

Shortbread, fresh herbal notes (lemongrass) and the sweet spiciness of ginger marmalade

What I say:

Bought for £17.50 at ASDA supermarket, this is a very drinkable entry level offering from the Glen Moray Distillery [http://www.glenmoray.com/]. This gives a good indication of the properties of the new make spirit from Glen Moray as the maturation is likely quite short [obvious in the colour]. There is also a slight imbalance in that the nose is very pungent with distillate aromas but none translate into the taste. Even so this whisky is very smooth, gentle and pleasing with very delicate flavouring. Uncomplicated and no strong aftertaste make it an ideal beginners dram, slightly reminiscent of blended whisky.

Colour:

Very pale yellow gold.

Nose:

Banana smoothie [esters], parma violets, perfume, honeysuckle and nail polish [acetone].

Taste:

This has gentle flavours of spring green grass, delicate honey blossom, cereal barley and Scottish tablet and is soft and warming in the mouth.

Finish:

Clean and short with a hint of tangerines.

Would I buy it again: Possibly not, but worth it for sampling the basic Glen Moray distillate as a comparison to older more finished expressions. A bargain introductory single malt whisky for beginners, with some quite complex aromas to get the nose around.