Speyside region – 60.6%ABV – 20ml bottle – £18 from Royal Mile Whiskies but expect to get a different cask, cask #141 is sold out.
“…if only you applied yourself…”
“…you could do so much more if only you tried harder…”
“…you’re not living up to your full potential…”
“…seriously, why do you spend so much time in the bathroom?”
Many of us can likely identify with some of the above statements. Just think of your time in middle school, high school, etc… and it might all come back. Heck, I know my teachers have used at three of the above statements on me (I’ll let you choose which three).
Why do I bring this up? Well today we’re reviewing potential whisky, AKA spirit. This juice is only two years old. Like a student with great potential this spirit is young and raw and gives you a good glimpse (if you spend time with it to try and understand it) as to what it *could be* given a few more years of maturity.
Let’s dive in.
On the nose – The smoke is insanely obvious on this one so let’s not talk about it right not. I want to discover what’s ‘neath the peat smoke and there *is* a lot to discover here.
Off the bat I smell candy-style bananas (think Now and Laters).
Salty, green veggies and dirty socks (in a nostalgic way).
Apple skins, burnt as they were.
Now, I think, we can’t ignore the peat influence. Burning tires and smouldering stuff. Ivory soap, minus the soapiness (even though it’s full of smoke, there’s something clean in here).
Hay and barnyard (but it’s slight) and unripe red berries.
On the mouth – Yes, this is 60.6% ABV. Yes, this is spirit and not whisky but it is engaging, satisfying and so full of potential.
It all comes back to that classic Glen Moray mouthfeel. Luscious and indulgent in its creaminess.
Malt, cream ale, peat smoke galore.
Bananas, butter cream candies and lots of salted apple-y goodness!
More notes to follow in coming years of maturity…
Finish – Apples and peat smoke with a briny edge to it. A surprisingly long finish!
In sum – I really love the direction of this spirit… let me carry that further, I really love the direction that Glen Moray is going in.
Adding this to their lines of single casks and wine cask fully-matured whiskies, Glen Moray is starting to tell a new story. They are not just a supermarket malt, there is true character in addition to the known quality. Hear me now, within a few years, if done right, Glen Moray can and will prove themselves to be a true luxury malt.
Special thanks to IA for the sample!!
