Glen Moray Peated Single Highland Malt Whisky 70 cl 40%

Glen Moray has made soft, easy Speyside whisky in Elgin since 1897, on the banks of the River Lossie. Then, in 2015, smoke walked in.

Expert Description

Glen Moray Peated is a Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in American oak casks and bottled at 40%.

It was the distillery's first peated single malt in the regular range, and it only reached the market in 2015. Until then Glen Moray was a smoke-free house. The barley is dried over a peat fire and mixed with ordinary malted barley, which keeps the spirit lightly peated rather than heavily smoked. Peated malt is only run for a short spell each year, and part of that spirit goes into blends such as Label 5, made by the owner La Martiniquaise. A little is held back for the single malts.

Maturation is in American oak that has held bourbon, which adds vanilla and a calm oak base. The peat is cut in the Highlands, where the plants are quite different from those on Islay's coast. The label reads Single Highland Malt, but the distillery in Elgin is today counted as part of Speyside.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The smoke is there straight away, like a campfire, and behind it come vanilla, tangy rhubarb and a hint of leather.

Taste

The peat smoke arrives early, followed by creamy vanilla and a little spice. It is not heavy. The base is soft and slightly sweet, close to apple and pear.

Finish

Long, sweet and spicy, with the smoke lingering right to the end.

Specifications

Name: Glen Moray Peated Single Highland Malt Whisky
Distillery: Glen Moray
Region/Country: Speyside, Scotland
Type: Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: No
Natural colour: No
Edition: Classic
EAN no.: 5060116321104

Flavour Profile

Lightly peated · Smoky · Vanilla · Spicy · Soft Speyside

Did you know?

Glen Moray first distilled peated spirit in 2010, according to master distiller Graham Coull. A peated bottling joined the regular range in 2015.

See our full selection of Glen Moray

Listen to our podcast:

Frequently asked questions about Glen Moray Peated

What does Glen Moray Peated taste like?

Glen Moray Peated tastes of light peat smoke, creamy vanilla and spice on a sweet base. The nose brings campfire, rhubarb and a little leather, and the finish is long, sweet and spicy.

Is Glen Moray Peated very smoky?

No, it is lightly peated. The smoke is clear from the first sip but never takes over, and next to heavily peated Islay whiskies it is gentle. The sweet vanilla from the American oak casks keeps the smoke in check.

Is Glen Moray Peated a good first peated whisky?

Yes, the distillery itself describes it as an introduction to peated whisky. The smoke is easy to handle, and the soft Speyside base means there is nothing harsh to get used to. It also works as a gift for someone curious about smoke who does not want to start with an Islay bottle.

How should I serve Glen Moray Peated?

Neat, with a little water or over ice all work, and the distillery also mentions cocktails. A tulip-shaped glass gathers the aromas best. Take a look at our whisky glasses.

How is Glen Moray Peated smoked?

The smoke comes from the malting. The barley is dried over a peat fire so the smoke settles in the grain, and the peated malt is mixed with ordinary malted barley before distillation. The peat is cut in the Highlands.

What kind of distillery is Glen Moray?

Glen Moray sits in Elgin in Speyside and was converted from a brewery in 1897. It has been owned by the French group La Martiniquaise since 2008, when Glenmorangie plc sold it. The house is known for soft Speyside whisky and for finishing in a range of casks.