Glen Moray Elgin Classic

Thanks to my buddy for pouring me a dram on vacation.

It’s no secret that I enjoy Glen Moray every so often. I’ve reviewed a handful of them. They change up quite a bit based on what cask someone put it in. Oh, and based on their OB Glen Moray Elgin Classic – Peated, they also play around with a peated dram.

So variety is the spice of life. And today I’m lucky to be sitting down with an OB from Glen Moray. This is the entry-level that the company wants me and you and probably you’re aunt (you know the one) to try.

So how does it compare to my norm, the independently bottled variety? Let’s see, shall we?

Price: N/A at the LCBO

Region: Speyside

Abv: 40%

Colour: 10Y 9/8

Nose: Peat, brown butter, cinnamon honey, brine, mint

Initially, it hits you with some of that peat but then relaxes a bit. There are some coastal aspects however that’s not the main thing. It’s a peated whisky with more honey and nuttiness/fat going on.

That said, it is a lighter whisky, so don’t expect your typical blast of peat here.

Taste: Lime, chili powder, brown butter, brine, cereal

We take a step back again. Instead of super smoke, it’s more like a heat/smoke. More of that cereal, just a hint of salt. I’m guessing they sourced the peated malt from Port Ellen however not ageing it on Islay or using salt-fed water has left out those aspects a tad.

Finish: Lime, apple, orange, Digestive cookies

Very fruity/acidic on the finish. Any of the smoke at this point is right out the door, maybe coming through to change up the cereal to a simple cookie flavour.

In other words, I’m terribly sad about the finish.

Conclusion: It’s an interesting idea. Taking on a peated whisky but trying to make it less brine driven and more Speyside, nutty and honey-based.

What we ended up with is a muted version of Caol Ila’s non-peated whisky. It’s nice and acidic, however, if you’re looking for that big peat element you’re going to have a bad time.

I want someone, be it Glen Moray or an IB, to take a cask of this and play it out.

73/100

Scotch review #1163, Speyside review #327, Whisky review #1789