GLEN MORAY 10YO 'FIRED OAK' - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

We're on to the next Glen Moray review - this time I'll be reviewing the 10yo 'Fired oak' which is a combination of ex-bourbon and heavily charred fresh American oak casks.

So what does heavily charred oak add to the whisky, I hear you ask?
In this case, the good folk at Glen Moray have chosen to get American oak casks that have never been used before, charred, or burnt of you like, on the inside of the casks to a degreed where the casks produce a layer of charred oak, much like a piece of charcoal - on the outer layer of the oak staves.

This degree of charring brings out a more heavy cask influence than regular oak staves will, as the charring will have brought out more flavor compounds from the oak. The charring will also remove unwanted, usually natural sulphury notes from the maturing spirit - much like charcoal filtering normally do.

However, there is a fine balance to keep when using charred oak for maturation.
Some spirits lighter in character, like e.g. Glen Moray can easily be overpowered by charred oak, IMO - and this is probably why they have chosen to mix it with regular oak cask matured Glen Moray... A wise choice if you ask me!

Let's take a closer look:

Cask rows at a Glen Moray Warehouse © Glen Moray

Glen Moray 10yo 'Fired Oak' - Distillery Bottling

Nose:
Fresh warm baking, hints of orange peel, dark honey and overripe banana.
It's all carried forward by candied apples on a stick. After a while, a strong vanilla note comes through.

Taste:
Quite laid back and very much driven by the fired oak casks, making up what I would think is a large portion of this. A hint of burnt toast, thick malt, burnt caramel and some vanilla notes. The finish continues with quite some wood influence, turning it slightly bitter.

I like the nose on this and flavor-wise this is a notch heavier compared to the Elgin Classic edition. If you're new to whisky you'll either love or hate this as it introduces some new flavors that might need some getting used to. On the other hand, this also produces some more candy, burnt caramel-like notes that might appeal to some.

I actually felt more a sense of original Glen Moray whisky, drinking the 'Elgin Classic' than I do this. Also, I would also be more inclined to pick up the regular 12yo instead if this after comparing (UK) prices.

77/100!

Official sample provided by the Danish Importer

GLEN MORAY 'PORT CASK FINISH' - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

After a short break, I'm back with another Glen Moray review.

Now, I've always liked Port cask matured whisky - 'cause I'm also a Port Wine drinker. However, it comes very much down to if it has spent all its years in a port cask or if it has only been finished.
The latter is the case here... and as always it comes down to a combination of the original casks but especially the quality of the port casks, in my opinion.
I mean, like with whisky there's 'your run off the mill' and there are great quality casks - the same goes for port - There's what your Granny likes for Xmas and then there's the Prime Douro Valley stuff

But let's try this one...

A peak inside a Glen Moray Warehouse © Glen Moray

Glen Moray 'Port Cask Finish' 40% Distillery Bottling

Nose:
As expressive as the 'Egin Classic' was, this is its absolute counterpart - it definitely needs time to open up... zzzZZZzzz and we're back, now picking up some obvious vinous notes, wet cask staves, bung cloth, mint, and whiffs of strawberries

I feel like it's really being held back by either the quality of its initial maturation rather than the Port casks that have imposed a pinkish-orange hue to the whisky.

Taste:

More expressive on the palate for sure. Lovely cask spices, slight orange zest, alcohol-soaked blackberries, and generally quite earthy in style. The oak is very active and drying, especially on the finish, which this whisky sadly cannot withstand.

Now,  as I mentioned I normally like port cask matured whiskies but this one seems a bit rushed. Maybe a year or 2 more in the port casks to smooth out the rough edges? and would think Glen Moray could do better with a Port Cask whisky than this?

72/100!

Official sample provided by the Danish Importer

DIAGEO SPECIAL RELEASES 2020 - REVIEWS

The 8 Special Releases for 2020 © Diageo Press Kit

Very recently an invitation to join a virtual tasting of the Diageo Special Releases 2020 found its way into my mailbox - an invite hard to ignore and meaning a very nicely packaged tasting kit was received and an online link was provided.

How did I approach this tasting?

The tasting kit contained 8 x 3cl of each whisky.
The first 1-1½cl were tasted and preliminary notes were taken during the online event itself - mainly nosing notes were taken along with a few tasting notes.
Then 2 hours after the tasting and a thorough palate-cleansing, more serious work was put into the notes, on both smell and taste and I'll let you know right away - this changed my first perception quite a bit on more than a couple of the whiskies.

Before you scroll down and try to find scores on each of the bottles, then I have to disappoint you this time. I have not scored these, but reading my notes and finishing comments should still give you an idea of what I think of each whisky.

Cardhu 2008 11yo 56% Refill and new ex-bourbon hogsheads

Nose:

A good sweet malty edge with some white garden fruit and juice from mixed tinned fruits

Palate:
The palate shows quite some active wood, very much citrussy notes, honey and
malt

Water brings out more vanilla on the nose but increases the spiciness on the palate. A very refreshing and nice Cardhu but lacking a bit compared to the Special Release from 2019

Singleton of Dufftown 2002 17yo 55,1% Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Nose:

Lovely fresh and grassy, some vanilla and citrus ripe honey melon. also a dusty note in there...

Taste:
Quite sweet and honeyed, still... some garden fruit and fresh ginger coming through

Almost too sweet in the long run but a nice surprise in this otherwise impressive lineup. 

Dalwhinnie 1989 30yo 51,9% Refill ex-bourbon hogsheads

Nose:
Lovely old bourbon cask style nose, Lots of honey, boiled fruits and oak spice. Also in there a slight mineral and olive oil note along with a slight hint of wet newspaper

Taste:
I may be a bit sentimental here as Dalwhinnie 15 was one of my first single malts 20 years ago, but I was instantly taken back to that time. Honeyed, a slight mineral note, good spirit feel - citrus and pears

Do I even detect a slight hint of smoke on the very long finish of this?

A lovely, lovely dram! Yes, I'm a bit sentimental about Dalwhinnie since it was one of my first malts but this is indeed a very nice dram. I'd rush out and buy a bottle if it wasn't for its very high price tag.

Pittyvaich 1989 30yo 50,8% Refill casks finished in 1st fill ex-bourbon casks

Very different to begin with - will probably need time

Nose:
Initially some mint, herb garden, very malty
Returning to pour the rest this after a good 4 hours the nose has now shed all its distinctiveness and returned to more classic old whisky notes
Mellow and wet oak, lightly scented candle wax, tinned peaches and malt

Taste:
The palate carries a huge malty profile, along with overripe banana wet hops turning into a very ale-like on the finish

This is one of those drams that are really hard to decode but I do know I've really enjoyed this. And it's certainly better than the old 2009 Special Release...

Mortlach 1999 21yo 56,9% finished in toasted PX and Oloroso sherry casks

Nose:
Nice and characterful nose not drowned entirely in sherry.
Also, no sulfur from the sherry cask finishing - a big plus!

Quite a heavy nose, in fact, as one would expect from a Mortlach but the sherry is pretty much kept in the background. Instead, it's promoting a lovely array of fruity notes.

Taste:
Lovely heavy arrival, thick and rich - and quite waxy - is this a Clynelish? (Just Joking)

The sherry is more pronounced on the palate but in no way invasive - only a slight drying and bitter note on the finish reveals its presence.

As pleasant as this is, I can't help feel that this is also a bit one-dimensional as it never strays from a very fine line of fruity notes and some oak spice.
This is also a dram I think many people would take a liking to but sadly this also carries quite a hefty price tag.

Cragganmore 1999 20yo 55,8% Refill and new freshly charred ex-bourbon hogsheads

Nose:
A heavier than normal style for Cragganmore if you ask me - Are the re-charred casks speaking quite loud here?

Getting a hint of red berries but with burnt orange notes taking over and delivering something resembling sherry cask influence even though the official cask make-up says otherwise. (those re-charred casks again?) 

Think dark honey, slightly burnt caramel - think creme brulee. Also getting very sweet dessert wine notes. Very expressive!

Taste:
Quite a traditional Speyside whisky arrival turning towards darker notes straight away. I feel that this is very much cask driven and not so much letting the Cragganmore spirit shine. This is like going half-way with caramel Macchiato maybe? Also licorice root and added walnut for extra bitterness.

I was initially impressed with this, especially with its nose but the palate lets this one down a bit after a re-taste. Just too bitter and out of balance for me. Is it bad? no - just not my kinda preferred profile.

Talisker 2011 8yo 57,9% Refill casks finished in Caribbean Rum Casks

Nose:
Drying smoke, seaside salt, bbq flavored crisps with a hint of vanilla and cracked white peppers. Also a hint of white wine downwind from a garden bonfire.

Taste:
Very drying on arrival - is this distillate driven? If yes, I would like some more cask influence, please... sweet peat, notes of white rum indeed along with some vanilla influence. Salty green olives and rocket salad bitterness.

A bit disappointed to be honest having tried a few young Taliskers over the years.
I so much more prefer the excellent Special Release 2018 8yo over this any day!

Lagavulin 2007 12 56,4% Refill hogsheads and butts

Nose:
A more delicate Laga12 than some of the previous years' releases? Certainly less smoky/peaty and 'in your face'. Notes on bbq'ed burnt lemon slices, smoked mustard glazed ham, peat bog after the rain and wet gravel

Taste:
Great arrival on peat, olives in seawater, some mineral note (chalk?) More lemony notes coming through as well - all finishing on a smoked paprika note

A Laga12 a bit out of the ordinary style - quite refreshing, IMO

Conclusion:
There are no bad whiskies here. All range from good to excellent.
Sadly, some of these whiskies carry a price tag higher than your average whisky drinker is willing to spend- but maybe that's why they're bottled in the Special Release series. All are bottled in limited numbers - but still in the several 1000s.

I hope you've enjoyed my review of the DSRs for 2020

Official samples were provided by Diageo Denmark. All pictures from the official Diageo Press Kit

GLEN MORAY 'ELGIN CLASSIC' - DISTILLERY BOTTLING

It's time to review a small handful of more commonly available whiskies - 4 to be exact - all from Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin, Speyside.

I'll start off with what Glen Moray themselves also call 'Elgin Classic' which pretty much sums up what this is - Straight forward easy drinkable whisky from this giant hidden in a residential neighborhood in Elgin.

The last time I visited was in September 2019 and would like to go back - and quite possibly pick up one of the very nice hand-bottlings offered there.
Since circumstances currently prevent travel, I'll have to settle for a virtual trip down Bruceland Road

Glen Moray Distillery at the end of Bruceland Rd. in Elgin © Glen Moray

 

Glen Moray 'Elgin Classic' 40%, Distillery Bottling

Nose:
Very expressive, much more than expected - promising...
I expect a lot of 1st fill ex-bourbon casks at work here.
Lots of grassy notes, a floral hint, and then green apples and malty notes and sugary lemony sponge case fresh from the oven.
After a while, some wood chip notes and a hint of wet newspaper peeps through

A nose that would appeal to many first-time whisky drinkers, I expect

Taste:
Quite warming for 40% as if the casks have a bit too much to say here? Slightly off-balance, maybe... The palate is very much an echo of the nose with warm apple, some citrus, and grassy notes, and a quite surprisingly long finish

I do not recommend you add water to this one - doing so kills it off and brings out an unwanted note of varnish/paint thinner on the palate.

Do I like it? yes, I do... Will I drink if offered, yes, I will...
I would have loved to try this at 43% or even 46% where I think this would be much better as the delivery still leaves a few things to be desired.

All in all a good starter whisky for new malt drinkers as well as fairly inexpensive compared to other entry-level whiskies.

77/100!

Official sample provided by the Danish Importer

SPRINGBANK 1993 26YO - VIRTUAL OPEN DAY 2020 DISTILLERY BOTTLING

Due to Covid19 this year, lots of festivals and whisky gathering have been cancelled. However, quite a few have also moved online and the Campbeltown Malt Festival 2020 that was originally scheduled for May 2020 was also moved online - placed in the last week of October.

The festival gave us a tasting each night from Monday - Friday, each tasting having at least a couple of star drams. One of those and one highly anticipated was the Springbank 1993 26yo Open Day bottle - a vatting of 2 bourbon casks. This was included in the Springbank Tasting Kit for the Friday night tasting along with 5 other drams, incl. a preview tasting of the next Local Barley - don't try and chase it down, folks - it will not be released until sometime in 2021.

Anyways, the purpose of this writeup was to review the Springbank 26yo - a, for some, a bit had to interpret dram. At least that was my impression from the comments during the tasting which left me thinking that the people giving this a not so good review, maybe didn't give this dram the time it deserved?
However, I did... I poured it a good 45min before I even approached it except for an initial sniff thinking it seems very closed up.

So what did I get from it once I went back to it? My notes are below the picture...

The Springbank 1993 26yo Virtual Open Day 2020 Bottling

Springbank 1993 26yo 51,1%, 2 Refill Bourbon Hogsheads, 432 bottles, Springbank Virtual Open Day 2020

Nose:
The Open Day has a cracking nose, initially dusty and notes of wet sand.
A bit closed but opens up nicely showing a slightly peaty side before going fruity. Quite some brine in there as well. The fruits, some tropical and citrus ones are struggling a bit to come through but give this time and you will be rewarded. All in all quite vibrant for a 25yo+ whisky

Taste:

Quite potent on arrival, peat, overripe apples and pears, honey, cask spices... Ginger and pepper, a little salty, the peat linger along with a nice malty finish. A few drops of water brings out more tropical style fruit notes but never leaving its Springbank DNA behind.

As with the 24yo Springbank from Cadenhead released in 2019, this needs time.
Time to breathe in the glass and time on the palate. It cannot, or I'd rather say, it must not be rushed. Give it time and you will be rewarded. A cracker!

91/100!