Whisky season is quickly approaching as the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to drop (San Francisco summer excepted). While many of us enjoy whisky year-round, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a dram in one’s favorite armchair on a chilly autumn evening. Scotland continues to give us an almost endless supply of delicious whisky to explore, and this quarter’s selection comes from one of Scotland’s premier independent bottlers and was distilled at an historic Speyside distillery. Longtime club members may recall that we featured a previous Cadenhead’s bottling in 2022. They continue to impress with their well-curated cask selections and blends.
Sláinte!
Sam Crocker
Spirits Buyer
Cadenhead’s Original Collection Glen Moray-Glenlivet 16 Year |
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Region: Speyside, Scotland (bottled in Campbeltown) |
In the late 19th century, due to the popularity of malts from Glenlivet Distillery, neighboring distilleries in Speyside began labeling their whiskies as Glenlivet. After Glenlivet took legal action, it was ruled that these distilleries would be allowed to hyphenate their names with the Glenlivet name, which resulted in Glen Moray being known as Glen Moray-Glenlivet. Glen Moray Distillery is located on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, Moray in Northeast Scotland. It began production in 1897, after it was converted from a brewery. It was closed in 1910 and sat dormant until it was purchased by the MacDonald and Muir families, owners of the Glenmorangie Distillery, in the 1920s. In 1958, two additional stills were added, bringing the total number of stills to four. As of 2016, the distillery produces around 5,500,000 liters of spirit annually. Glen Moray is known for softer, fruitier whisky. Some claim that the distillery benefits from its proximity to the river Lossie and the high water table which creates a slightly warmer and more humid microclimate that aids maturation. The Cadenhead’s Glen Moray 16 Year was distilled in 2007 and aged for 16 years before being bottled in May 2024. It is fully matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 46% ABV. |
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Cask Type: ex-Bourbon |
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ABV: 46% |
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Price: $129.99/700ml |
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Tasting Notes (provided by Cadenhead’s): Nose: Ripe banana, foam banana sweets. Light muscovado sugar, walnuts and icing sugar Flavor: Créme brûlée, white chocolate, vanilla sponge, musty notes Finish: Cocoa powder, cinnamon sticks, hotter spice |
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