Glen Moray 1991 Master of Malt Review

Country: Scotland

Region: Speyside

Brand: Glen Moray 1991 (Master of Malt)

Type: Single Cask Single Malt Whisky

Age: 21 Years

ABV: 60.7%

Colour: Pale Gold

Nose: Given the Age and the ABV it is obvious that Oak and Alcohol are quite present. The Spirit is also Creamy and Malty. I find Floral Tones, Orchard Fruit, Nectarine, Tangerine, Grapefruit Juice, Butter, Barley Sugar, Raisins, Custard, Toffee, Wood Spice, Bourbon, Wax and hints of Menthol, Apple Vinegar and Varnish. 

The Malt Bins at Glen Moray

Taste: Fiery and Mouthwatering as was to be expected with Oak, Nuts, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cardamom, Citrus, Pear, Peanut Butter, Stewed Apples, Malt, Toffee, Butter and Menthol.  

The Mash Tun at Glen Moray

Finish: Solid Finish with Oak, Pepper, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Walnuts, Malt, Menthol, Lemon and Poached Pears. Quite Dry in the end.

Wash Back #4 at Glen Moray

I added a bit of Water and that tames the Alcohol of course. Dried Apricot, Malt and Butter now dominate the Nose. The Floral Tones are enhanced as well. The 
Palate and Finish do not change a lot but it's just easier to drink the Spirit this way. Still, this Glen Moray shows its real character only when you drink it neat.

Rating: 85.5  

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21 – Finish: 21 – Overall: 21.5 

These Casks Had Just Been Delivered

General Remarks: The Glen Moray 1991 Master of Malt was distilled on the 2nd of July 1991 and matured in a Refill Hogshead with Cask # 5661. A total of 260 bottles were filled in April 2013. This Single Malt was bottled at Cask Strength, is Uncoloured and Non Chill-Filtered. It is priced at around 130 US Dollars.

Some of the Stills at Glen Moray

Drinking Experience Neat: Good 

Conclusion: Let me start by saying that the Glen Moray 1991 is a good Single Malt. As it should be at this price level although it's not too expensive when you consider its age. I like the Nose neat although you have to wind your way through the waves of strong Alcohol. But I must also say that I had expected more complexity and diversity after 21 long years in the Cask. Given the high ABV I would assume that most people would want to add a little Water. But once you do that, there's not too much to discover any more. Apricot, Malt and Butter on the Nose and Oak, Spices, Citrus and Menthol on the Palate and in the Finish. Not all that much for a 21 old Single Malt that will set you back around 130 US Dollars. So while I enjoyed Nosing and Tasting the sample, I would not consider buying a full bottle of this Glen Moray.

Another Pair of Stills

Some Data: The name Glen Moray means "The Glen of the Sea Settlement".  It's located at Bruceland Road in Elgin (Morayshire). The Distillery that was founded in 1897 is currently expanding and at the end of this year will possess 1 Mash Tun, 21 stainless Steel Wash Backs and 6 pairs of Stills. With all this equipment Glen Moray will be able to produce 6,5 million litres annually. Since 2008 the distillery belongs to the French Group La Martiniquaise. No wonder that France is currently one of Glen Moray's main markets. In the past, Glen Moray spirit was mainly used in Blends like Label 5 but under the new owners efforts are made to present Glen Moray as a Single Malt as well. The new visitor centre,  gift shop, coffee shop and tasting area were opened in 2004.

We visited Glen Moray in May 2014

The water for the distillery is sourced from a well by the River Lossie. Glen Moray is open to the public All Year except with Christmas and New Year. The opening hours are from Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.00) and from May to September also on Saturdays from 10.00 to 16.30. The Standard Tour costs 3 Pounds. An in-depth Connoisseurs Tour called "Fifth Chapter" costs 15 pounds. Pre-Booking for the latter is necessary.

Some Promising Casks in the Warehouse

We visited Glen Moray on Wednesday, May 21 2014. The weather that day was cloudy with the occasional rain. We did the Standard Tour and really enjoyed it. Our guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. After the tour we enjoyed a very cheerful Tasting Session where we sampled the 8, 12 and 16 Years as well as a young peated expression. A tasteful Soup of the Day in the coffee shop closed up our pleasant visit to Glen Moray. I can certainly recommend a visit to this distillery. 

We Tasted Several Expressions After The Tour

And Had a Nice Soup of the Day in the Distillery Shop

Jan van den Ende                                                           January 13, 2015

Compass Box The Spice Tree Review

“I Am What I Am”

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland

Brand: Compass Box The Spice Tree 

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age: NAS (Likely around 10-12 Years)

ABV: 46 %

Colour: Light Amber 

Nose: Full, Sweet, Oaky, Herbal and Spicy. The Nose reminds me of a Bourbon on account of the Virgin Oak. I find Malt, Dried Herbs, Nuts, Raisins, Brown Sugar, Caramel, Vanilla, White Chocolate, Honey, Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Citrus Peel and Aniseed. The Spice Tree needs a little time to release its Fruit Aromas. After ten minutes or so I recognise Pear, Banana and some Pineapple. And finally I pick up Floral Notes and a hint of Sherry. This is quite a mature Nose for a relatively young Single Malt. It's a pity that the Alcohol is not fully integrated. 

Palate: Medium Hot, Sweet, Oaky and Spicy with Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Clove, Vanilla, Toffee, Fresh Oak, Resin, Dried Herbs, Sugared Almonds and Orange Peel. 

Finish: Medium Long, Spicy and Dry with Lemon Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Fresh Oak, Resin, Menthol, Ripe Bananas, Cocoa Powder, Almonds and Licorice.    

I added Water and Malt and Vanilla are enhanced on the Nose. It gets more Floral as well. The Alcohol has retreated quite nicely. But Palate and Finish do not benefit from the added Water. You literally take out the Spirit of this Malt.

Rating: 85.5  

Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5

My Miniature of the Spice Tree.

General Remarks: The miniature I'm tasting today contains the original Spice Tree that was first launched in 2005. Despite positive reactions from consumers it was discontinued in 2006 as the Scotch Whisky Association questioned the use of French Oak inner staves used during maturation. John Glaser, the founder of Compass Box decided to look for some alternative ways to create a similar Aroma & Flavour profile and in 2009 the Spice Tree was reintroduced. The Single Malts now used for the Blend firstly mature for around 8-10 years in a mix of First Fill and Refill American Oak Casks before being transferred to barrels with heavily toasted new French "Vosges" Oak Heads for another 2 Years or so. Today, The Spice Tree is a blend of 3 Highland Single Malts with Clynelish at its heart. The other Malts are Dalmore and Dailuaine. The Spice Tree is Naturally Coloured and Non Chill-Filtered. The "new" version sells at around 60 US Dollars. I will try to get a sample of the new version as well.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good   

Conclusion: This is certainly a well-crafted Blended Malt. Spirit and Cask do well together. I do believe that the ABV could have been slightly lower in this case. The Alcohol does spoil a bit of the Nosing Fun. You can add some Water surely but as you know I usually don't like to do that when tasting a Single Malt as I believe you somehow start messing around with the original creation of the distiller or blender. However, that's only my personal opinion. Please enjoy any whisky the way you like best. Coming back to the Spice Tree, I can really fully recommend this blended Malt to people who like not too sweet Bourbon or Rye Whiskey and those who appreciate a good dose of Oak, Spices, Dried Herbs and Vanilla in their Scottish dram. Because The Spice Tree truly deserves its name! 

Jan van den Ende                                                                 January 10, 2015

Photo Credit: Neat Whiskey 2011