Glen Moray

Region: Speyside (Elgin)

Owner: La Martiniquaise

Founded: 1897

I love Glen Moray! I thought I’d get that statement out of the way first! At its best, it is the quintessential Speyside whisky. Crisp, fresh, fruity, citric and utterly charming. It takes oak, both American and European in its stride, well, maybe apart from Chenin Blanc! I must admit I’m not wholly convinced by whiskies finished in ex-Chenin Blanc casks. The wine itself can be, hmm, what’s the polite way of saying it? A bit on the funky side with suggestions of wet dog and lanolin, but sometimes it can be a bit on the dirty side, which for an elegant spirit like Glen Moray doesn’t do it many favours.

The other aspect that I love about Glen Moray is that it can get away with being bottled at a fairly young age, which again, at its best captures all that lovely vibrant fruit and citrus. In fact, of the distillery releases I have a fondness for the entry level No Age Statement bottlings, which are still fabulous value for money. Also, you will see a number of sub 10 year old bottlings from the various independent bottlers, and to be honest, they are pretty much a banker too when it comes to ‘bang for yer buck!’ however occasionally it can lack a bit of character when very young and although there have been the occasional rough bottlings, but by and large you can confidently purchase a young one.

(Image Copyright James Mortimer Photography)