31 May, 2022

Glen Moray Classic Collection Whiskies – Chardonnay & Port finishes

Philip Day looks at two popular Glen Moray Classic Collection Whiskies – Chardonnay & Port finishes. In his feature, he chats to Iain Allan, Global Brand Ambassador for the Scottish firm and reviews both whiskies.

Talking, recently with Iain Allan, Global Brand Ambassador about these two popular classic finishes, he revealed that the intention is to increase the maturation time to between 18 months to 2 years where possible in the finishing barrels to allow the distinctive characteristics of the wine to influence the Glen Moray spirit more.

Glen Moray Classic Collection Whiskies - Chardonnay & Port finishes

Glen Moray Classic Chardonnay Cask Finish

On the Glen Moray website, the distillers state:

“Since the early 1900’s we’ve been known for exploring the ways in which different casks can influence our whisky and this single malt is an outstanding example of our experimental style. Matured first in American oak casks in the traditional Glen Moray way, it is then finished in Chardonnay white wine casks. These casks layer tropical fruit and warm spice on our whisky’s classic vanilla notes, culminating in this sweetly approachable dram.”

Tasting Notes (Supplied by Glen Moray):

Colour: Old gold (natural colour)

Nose: Spicy apple and pear, key lime pie and cinnamon sugar.

Taste: Caramelised tropical fruits, hints of freshly ground pepper and sweet vanilla.

Finish: Tropical fruit and vanilla flavours combine to deliver a finish which is both intense and warm.

ABV: 40% / 70 cl

RRP: £29

A good late spring/early summer dram.

Glen Moray Classic Collection Whiskies - Chardonnay & Port finishes

Glen Moray Classic Port Cask Finish

“This Glen Moray celebrates our passion for exploring the array of flavours different casks can bring to our whisky. First matured in American oak casks for classic Speyside notes, it is then carefully finished over several months in port casks from Porto Cruz, renowned as the world’s No. 1 port. Over time, these sweet Portuguese wine casks enrich our single malt with rich fruits and mellow wine notes and give the whisky a distinctive rosy tint. Light, fruity and balanced, our Port Cask Finish is enjoyed by single malt lovers and whisky newcomers alike.”

Tasting Notes (Supplied by Glen Moray):

Colour: Rose gold (natural colour)

Nose: Toasted vanilla, light oak rich dried fruits.

Taste: Refreshing spice with a citrus lemon tang. Caramelised sweetness with cinnamon.

Finish: Sweet mellow wine and toasted oak flavours produce a finish which is smooth and well-balanced

ABV: 40% / 70 cl

RRP: £27

An excellent summer whisky- almost a ‘Wimbledon dram’

To sum up these two iterations of Glen Moray, the maturation period has created two very different but excellent classic drams, suitable for fans of the Classic or Heritage range or someone who wants to try something more exotic than supermarket whiskies on their journey of whisky discovery but is afraid of paying over the odds.

These whisky expressions are well priced and easily compare to other high-end expressions for which you would pay considerably more.

Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. Located on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. in the heart of Speyside, Scotland’s whisky capital, the Glen Moray distillery has been producing fine single malt since 1897.

Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character.

Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to its early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – considered a highly unusual practice at that time. A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers.

The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.

For most of its working history since 1924 it was owned by Macdonald & Muir (which changed its name to the Glenmorangie Company Ltd. in 1996). In 2004, the French luxury goods group Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) bought Glenmorangie. In 2008, LVMH sold off the Glen Moray distillery to La Martiniquaise. It is currently managed by its Bardinet spirits group subsidiary.

Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France.

For additional information see: www.la-martiniquaise.com

Over the years, the Glen Moray Distillery has built an exceptional portfolio of Speyside Single Malts. It currently offers a wide variety of select malts under the following portfolios: