Scott_E
Glen Moray Elgin Classic Port Cask Finish
Single Malt — Speyside, Scotland
Reviewed
October 9, 2017 (edited November 8, 2017)
I pick this up for the Scotish Distillery Tour as I was interested in Glen Moray, never being privy to it prior. The local spirit shop has several of the Glen Moray styles, aged and NAS, but I was curious about this particular bottling. Mostly being intrigued by the Port finish.
A few soft rolls in the glass and some nosing and you are introduced to fruity aromas. Fruit cocktail (like the Dole canned fruit cocktail) is what I am reminded and reminisce on first nosing. A bit more time, and other fruity aromas of apples and dried pineapple come through. Cereal notes come through with some banana (banana bread) over time. A touch of leather can be detected and adds a touch of depth to the lightweight nose.
Like the nose, the mouthfeel is exrremly lightweight. A slight zing of ginger wakes the palate. Once past the zing, a sweeter side of the dram arrives with barley sugar, vanilla, honey and orange creamsicle. A touch of blueberry, oddly, is detectable adding to the fruit nature. The flavors on the palate are short lived.
As I would expect, a tinge of red wine-like notes arrive on the finish, though, again, rather faint. The zing transforms itself from ginger to white pepper. Some almond nuttiness and a bit of lemon citrus bitterness round out the short finish.
What comes through with this whisky is a sense that it has been watered down. Like when you go to that dive bar and get a drink and the liquid in the bottles that was used has been added with water to stretch the length of the spirit. The flavors want to burst and are on the cusp, but are restrained. That could be because of worn out casks with little life left (pure speculation here, though). All that said, it is not that terrible. It is sweeter than I expected and has less wine influcence than I would have thought. Overall, though, a bottle can be found for approximately $30 and I have had much worse for more money. [82/100][$30][Tasted: 10/7/17]
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I'm tasting it right now and you nailed this review. You are right about the flavors ready to burst out but lack the power to do so. 46% would have made this worlds better
Nailed it! It's pleasant, but tastes watered down. I'd be interested to try it at a higher proof. Glen Moray's chardonnay cask finished NAS is significantly better, I think.
Hmm, that's not the review I was hoping for. I love port finished scotch and to hear that this one is on the weaker side is a little disheartening. I'll find out for myself soon though. Nice review