The Glen Moray Tweet Tasting!

Let the sampling begin!

Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to be invited to the latest online Tweet Tasting with the opportunity of sampling the delights produced by the Glen Moray Speyside distillery.
The event, once again ably hosted by Steve from The Whisky Wire, gave us the chance to try five different drams including two New Make Spirits – a rare thing indeed.

The malts sampled were:-

If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #GlenMoray on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – Glen Moray New Make Spirit ( 69% )

New Make Spirit is at the core of the dram that will eventually end up in your glass but in this form it’s the raw essence of what will be whisky, once it’s been aged in oak casks for a minimum of 3 years.

Nose: Creamy, raw, fruity! Basically Banana smoothie! White rum with a little malt & barley (reminds me of moonshine) comes thru later. Palate: Thick mouth feel, oily, sweet plums – God that’s strong! Finish: Hot, fiery with a passion! Overall: You have to be careful with the new make – it sent my taste buds flying like a bunch of skittles! Would make a good gin replacement in summer cocktails etc. if they ever retailed it – but I doubt they ever will!

Tasting Notes – Glen Moray Classic ( 40% )

Glen Moray mature their whisky in ex-bourbon barrels sourced from North America.

Nose: Slightly peaty, hint of vanilla & fruit, red apples & pears. Palate: Very smooth, light with vanilla & fruit. There’s some grapefruit in there as well. Finish: Peppery but also sweet – nice bit of glowing spice! Overall: It’s really interesting to dram this after tasting the New Make as you can really taste the new make in there. All muted down of course to save those taste buds! A really nice dram this – nice and easy going!

Tasting Notes – Glen Moray Port Cask Finish ( 40% )

Glen Moray Classic Port Cask is finished for 8 months in Tawny Port casks before being bottled. A lovely rose colour when in the glass – the Twitter community thought this hue was very fetching!

Nose: Very similar to the Classic but there’s also a satisfying porty sweetness. Palate: Creamy, sweet, jam-like, little bit of tanin. Finish: Long, spicy finish coupled with a dry, fruity port hit! Overall: If you like port and a dram with a rosy look to it then you’ll love this! Nicely balanced fruit, spice and sweetness!

Tasting Notes – Glen Moray New Make Peated Spirit ( 69% )

A peated base spirit with around 18ppm phenols.

Nose: Heavy peat, smoke, charcoal – BOOM! No fruit or sweetness at all – just a smokery! Palate: Pretty much tastes like it noses – full on! Hot and fiery – quite oily – but mainly heavy peat n’ smoke. Finish: Adding water brings out sweet, salty Liquorice. Overall: Amazing opportunity to try this New Make but it demands respect – don’t expect it to be gentle with you!

Tasting Notes – Glen Moray Peated Single Malt ( 40% )

Glen Moray Classic Peated Cask is aimed at consumers who want a gentle peated style of whisky.

Nose: Again the Classic foundation is there but it’s infused with a lovely, smoky, albeit quite a shy, peat. Palate: Very light, sweet with a dash of smoke n’peat – morish! Finish: Light Liquorice comes thru at the end with a gentle warming finish. Overall: This is a great peated malt, especially for those who are new to or wishing to explore the world of smokey drams! Great for quiet sipping and relaxing!

A special mention though for the New Makes. Always a rare and welcome opportunity to taste the spirit in it’s original form, just so long as you do it in moderation!

Many thanks to Steve at The Whisky Wire (@TheWhiskyWire) for a great dram evening.

And of course, Glen Moray, for sending the samples and without whom!

If you want to visit, the distillery has a visitor centre which offers tours all year round!

My fellow Tweeters were:-

@TheWhiskyWire @WhiskyCorner @jpbglover11 @kaskwhisky @dvdbloke @msykesjones @godsofgoodison @cache1337 @BeersIveKnown @dramming_uk @MikeJack1976 @macphail_hugh @b7ryn @Pandemoniumd01 @kizzsmyth @TheRedFellow @bobsta1975 @mynameisgone @LaCaveDeCobalt @jdpjamesp @galg @GeorgeHHutton @KatharineSully @AWhetForWhisky @brawspirit @nitin_michael @Girl_Whisky @PMaitlando @whiskymagazine @Whisky_Belfast @julie_gwc @rodbodtoo @MashtunandMeow @JoeFHolmes

Glen Moray is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

• The Whisky Exchange
• Master of Malt
• Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
• Abbey Whisky
• Whisky Online
• The Whisky Barrel
• The Green Welly Stop

Related posts:

The Girvan Patent Still Tweet Tasting! The Highland Park Tweet Tasting – It Was A Dark & Smoky Night! The Glasgow Distillery Tweet Tasting – An Enlightening Take On Familiar Spirits! Sampling Offerings From Limestone Branch Distillery On Twitter … And Why I Changed My Mind On Which I Like The Best!

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