For almost a year, Aaron and I protocolled our whisky experiences together on BarleyMania before he went on to form his own blog, Drams United, in late 2017. Although we are no longer sharing our content in the same place, we keep meeting regularly to attend tastings, visit fairs, enjoy drams and talk whisky. So when Aaron suggested to do a “Drams United X BarleyMania” mash-up article, I did not have to think twice about joining the fun. While you find the English tasting notes for this trio of Glen Moray Cask Finish expressions on my blog, a German post is available for your reading pleasure over on Drams United. Enjoy the read… Slainte!
by Tobi
Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask Finish
(Single Malt Scotch Whisky • Chardonnay finish • NAS • 40%)
The fine folks at Glen Moray are well-known for their eagerness to use all kinds of wood to refine their whisky. When you book their highly recommended distillery tour, you can stick your nose into no less than ten different casks in the warehouse and learn what effect staves soaked in bourbon, sherry or cidre have on the Glen Moray spirit. Or chardonnay. Nose-wise, the latter produces a light, fruity and slightly sour bouquet with marzipan, gooseberry, citrus and green apple. The mouthfeel is sparkling and dryish. All of a sudden, honey steps forth, followed by vanilla pods, apples and lemons. Aaron did not really get the honey, but tasted an abundance of grapes instead. In the course of the short finish, the whisky gets a little alcoholic. Other than that, vanilla and wood are also present. A nice and pleasant all-day dram!
Glen Moray Port Cask Finish
(Single Malt Scotch Whisky • Port finish • NAS • 40%)
The Port Cask Finish is one of two whiskies you get to savor as part of the standard tour at Glen Moray Distillery (the other is the Classic). Thanks to an additional eight months in a port pipe, the liquid is now fragrant with wild strawberries, red wine gums and raspberry marmalade spread across almond pastry. On the tongue, there’s more berries: currants, brambles and the likes. The wild strawberries from the nosing are also part of the mix. And so is an underlying wood note. In direct comparison to the Chardonnay Cask Finish, the Port Cask Finish’s aftertaste appears to be a bit longer and more robust. Its dominating flavor is that of sugared strawberries with milk chocolate sprinklers. Yummy!
Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish
(Single Malt Scotch Whisky • Sherry finish • NAS • 40%)
In the course of their “Meet the team” initiative, Glen Moray recently introduced us to their mash man Raymond, who lists the Sherry Cask Finish among his favorite whiskies. A good choice, for sure. In the nose, said dram opens with sweet raisins, dried berries, creamy chocolate and fresh peppermint leaves. When tasted, it becomes a bit less sweet. Now red berry compote with slightly burned vanilla sauce takes the spot in the limelight, while pastry, nuts and vanilla form a sturdy foundation. The finish is not too long, but very pleasing with nougat, berries and mint. Like the Chardonnay Cask Finish and the Port Cask Finish, the Sherry Cask Finish is another fine Speyside malt offering big taste for little money.
Glen Moray Chardonnay Cask Finish (Single Malt / Speyside / NAS / 40% / 23 Euro)
Glen Moray Port Cask Finish (Single Malt / Speyside / NAS / 40% / 23 Euro)
Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish (Single Malt / Speyside / NAS / 40% / 25 Euro)
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- The bottles, pt.1
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- The label (Chardonnay)
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- The label (Port)
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- The label (Sherry)
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- The bottles, pt.2
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- In the glass
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- The bottles, pt.2
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- Me & Aaron
Glen Moray @ Web: http://www.glenmoray.com/ (Distillery)
Drams United @ Web: http://www.dramsunited.blogspot.de/ (Aaron’s whisky blog)
BarleyMania | Whisky & Whiskey 
I like the sound of the Chardonnay cask expression – it sounds such good value. I need to check out if it’s available in the UK.
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I think their releases are readily available in the UK. The Cask Finish range is a good point to start at. There’s also some really outstanding single cask bottlings of Glen Moray available from various independent whisky companies. I recently bought an insanely good and super-sweet 10yo from Claxton’s, for example.
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I love Glen Morays :) do you ever go back to some whiskies? This one is one of my first and most loyal friends. Always happily coming back to it… good memories with every single sip. One of my first heavily sherried whiskies I tried. It actually convinced me to get a bottle of sherry (first time in my life).
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Oh yes! I also have certain all-time faves that will always have a special place in my heart and that I’ll always restock when my bottle is empty. I think it’s important not to forget about these entry-level drams for several reasons. On the one hand, they (kind of) represent the first impression a distillery wants people to get of its product. And on the other hand, they’re what sparked your own passion for whisky back when you were taking your first steps. Just like you’ll always be fond of your first car or first LP, you should always be fond of your first whisky. Without it, you might never have gotten to where you are now.
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