Glen Moray Port Cask Finish Review
Glen Moray Port Cask Finish – Distiller: Glen Moray. Region: Speyside. ABV: 40%. No age statement. Price: $25-28.
There are certain whiskies that seem meant to be consumed in the solitary part of your afternoon. The kind of dram that brings comfort and warmth after, say, an extended hike, or a presentation that drained you. A drink that is the only companion you’ll need while you recharge. One of those for me, ever since a lovely late afternoon in Edinburgh’s Bow Bar, has been Glen Moray.
This Speyside distillery has been producing whisky since 1897, and continues to produce quality whiskies at an insane value. This Glen Moray Port Cask Finish, for example, which takes the Glen Moray Classic (aged for an average of 7 years) and ages it for 8 months in a Tawny Port cask, goes for about $25 in the Chicago area. For that price, I wasn’t expecting much, but as I sipped while preparing to review, I found myself almost falling for this whisky.
The color is a pale amber, akin to an apple cider. It has a nose of toasted vanilla and light oak, along with hints of leather, dark cocoa, and berries. The palate is lemon zest, toffee, and cinnamon–and yes, a definite touch of wine. And the finish, which is easily my favorite part, is lingering, sustained. It releases honey, spice, and rich chocolate, and remains long after the last sip has been consumed.
I highly recommend letting the drink breathe a bit before drinking, but it’s a rewarding, affordable, and quite interesting single malt.
Here’s to new discoveries, friends! – TM
