Glen Moray 12 Year

Nose: Orchard fruits, vanilla, light honey, faint notes of violets and rose, but very gentle, soft and understated. The dry-glass aroma is of sweet honey and is surprisingly reminiscent of Highland Park 12, but without that whisky's subtle smoke or complexity - a sort of "Highland Park lite". Palate: Vanilla, malt, cereal and honey. Very sweet and juicy but quite light in character. Some nuttiness. Finish: Medium-short. It trails off into faint woody notes. There is a pleasant warming aspect to the finish as well. Overall this is a very soft and shy whisky bottled at the minimum ABV. Water is not required to enjoy it, but it does bring out a touch more depth in the palate. If adding water only a few drops are required. As a mixer with soda it makes a refreshing and light aperatif, but with anything else it is a little understated. Interestingly, its sweetness makes it reminiscent of bourbon when mixed with coke or in coffee. This is not a challenging or deep whisky, but it is a light, pleasant everyday dram that is comparable to the better blends in this price bracket. If I had to choose between a bottle of this or the Compass Box Great King St Artists Blend it would be a tough call. A solid three stars and good value at the price. UPDATE - As this whisky oxidises it gains richness and depth in the fruit flavours. The array of orchard fruits turns into a whole market stall of tropical fruits - banana, guava, mango, pineapple ... quite delicious, but not subtle and very sweet. If you have a sweet tooth this is a great value inexpensive malt, however if you don't it will seem much too sickly-sweet and cloying. "Above Average" : 80/100 (3 stars)