Glen Moray 17 Yrs

Glen Moray was founded in 1897 and reconstructed from Elgin West Brewery (1830). This makes sense, since the first part of whisky distilling is akin to brewing beer (forget about the hops).

Due to financial difficulties, the distillery was sold in 1920 to MacDonald & Muir who already had acquired Glenmorangie two years earlier. For many years they would continue as sister distilleries under the company name Glenmorangie plc. In 2004 LVMH acquired Glenmorangie plc but sold Glen Moray on to La Martiniquaise in 2008. The distillery is still in French hands.

Water source
Lossie River

Malt source
Commercial maltsters. Until 1978 Glen Moray took care of its own malting with a Saladin Box (a rarity in the industry, invented by a French engineer in the late 1800s).

Capacity
5.7 million litres of alcohol per annum

Location
Elgin, Speyside

This whisky has a pale gold colour in the glass. The nose starts with aromas of stewed apples, tinned pears and pineapple chunks. A sturdy background of malty notes supports this fruit salad, which is laced with aniseed and crystalized ginger.

On the palate, what follows is a succulent burst with more fruit (ripe cherries) and shaved hazelnut.

The finish is slightly astringent and pleasantly reminiscent of bitter lemon soda. Adding water is not recommended since it slightly flattens the delicate experience of this fine malt.