Glen Moray 2006 Madeira Cask Project (46.3%, OB, 1468 Bottles, 2020)

• ABV: 46.3%
• Age: 13 Years Old
• Bottling: OB, Madeira Cask Project
• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £65
• Origin: Glen Moray distillery
• Vintage: 2006

What they say

A single malt Scotch whisky fully matured in ex-sweet Madeira hogsheads for 13 years and 10 months, the expression is a rich and indulgent combination of Glen Moray’s classic Speyside style and the sweet fruit and toffee influences of Madeira. Just seven of these casks were laid down in 2006, tucked away undisturbed in ‘Warehouse 1’ – home to the Elgin-based distillery’s maturation experiments over the years. This is where they would have remained, if not for the company’s new Head of Whisky Creation, Dr Kirstie McCallum, who took the time to sample the casks and realised that ‘hidden treasure’ had been discovered. 1468 bottles have now been released to the UK market as the third expression in the ‘Elgin Curiosity Range’, which aims to push the boundaries of single malt maturation and celebrate Glen Moray’s long standing passion for cask experimentation and flavour. Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project is bottled at 46.3% ABV at its natural colour and is non-chill filtered. It is a UK exclusive, available in 70cl in specialist whisky shops, RRP £65.

Official tasting notes:

• Nose: toffee, dark chocolate, fig, and dates balanced with sweet pears, berries and subtle exotic spices.
• Taste: sweet, syrupy, with deep notes of toffee, chocolate, black coffee, and figs, developing to sweet oak, poached pears, and soft fruit.
• Finish: rich, lingering, and sweet with gentle exotic spices and dried fruit.

What I say

One of the wonders of Glen Moray distilleries warehouses, if you are ever lucky enough to visit, is the abundance of interesting and unusual casks. Partly experimental and partly diversification, the aromas and colours of the whiskies matured are a wonder to behold in that light streaming through the barred warehouse windows. This appears to have been one such parcel of whisky, distilled and interred into ex-Madeira casks and matured for nearly 14 years.

This post was sponsored by Glen Moray by provision of a sample of this product.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Amber gold (10/20), medium-fine tears and legs.
• Nose: Stone fruits, apricot, sawdust, honey, musty, fig, “drying” nose, toffee and peach skin, cooked barley mash, malty barley, honey, milk chocolate.
• Taste: Medium-full bodied, butterscotch, caramac bars, cream, toffee, dried fig jam, apple reduction, highland cream toffee, butterscotch, Swiss blonde chocolate.
• Finish: Long, honey, pear icing, butterscotch, caramac.

Overall

Deliciously rich but not over-sweet, an unsual fruity and malty combination with a creamy delivery.

Score 87/100

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