Glen Moray releases ‘hidden treasure’ Madeira Cask expression for Curiosity Range – Scotch Whisky News
Glen Moray releases ‘hidden treasure’ Madeira Cask expression for Curiosity Range
Glen Moray has today (1st June) unveiled the latest addition to its Curiosity Range of experimental limited editions: the Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project.
A single malt Scotch whisky fully matured in ex-sweet Madeira hogsheads for 13 years and 10 months, the expression is a rich and indulgent combination of Glen Moray’s classic Speyside style and the sweet fruit and toffee influences of Madeira.
Just seven of these casks were laid down in 2006, tucked away undisturbed in ‘Warehouse 1’ – home to the Elgin-based distillery’s maturation experiments over the years.
This is where they would have remained, if not for the company’s new Head of Whisky Creation, Dr Kirstie McCallum, who took the time to sample the casks and realised that ‘hidden treasure’ had been discovered.
1468 bottles have now been released to the UK market as the third expression in the ‘Elgin Curiosity Range’, which aims to push the boundaries of single malt maturation and celebrate Glen Moray’s long standing passion for cask experimentation and flavour.
Tasting Notes
Nose: toffee, dark chocolate, fig, and dates balanced with sweet pears, berries and subtle exotic spices.
Taste: sweet, syrupy, with deep notes of toffee, chocolate, black coffee, and figs, developing to sweet oak, poached pears, and soft fruit.
Finish: rich, lingering, and sweet with gentle exotic spices and dried fruit.
Dr Kirstie McCallum commented: ‘Single malt whisky matured in Madeira casks has been prized in the industry before, but typically the casks have only been used to ‘finish’ more conventionally matured whisky. That’s what makes this new expression so very special. Our new make spirit has been slowly mingling with the luxuriously sweet flavours of Madeira for nearly 14 years, giving a depth of flavour and an intense character that couldn’t otherwise be created. It’s a delicious dram, a dessert in a glass, and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with whisky drinkers in the UK.’
Madeira is made exclusively on the subtropical Portuguese isle that shares its name, just west of Morocco. Known for its nutty sweetness, balanced by a fresh, tangy acidity, it’s these rich notes that give the new Glen Moray expression its distinctive flavour.
Crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, Glen Moray distillers have been curious about flavour throughout their history. Surviving handwritten ledgers show that a wide variety of casks were used to mature new make spirit back in those early days, which was an unusual practice for the time. A deep knowledge and expertise of wood has developed at Glen Moray through generations of distillers, resulting in today’s exceptional range of whiskies with a style to suit everyone.
Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project is bottled at 46.3% ABV at its natural colour and is non-chill filtered. It is a UK exclusive, available in 70cl in specialist whisky shops, RRP £65.
Watch Dr Kirstie McCallum, Glen Moray’s Head of Whisky Creation and Brand Ambassador Iain Allan introduce the new expression via: https://youtu.be/q-WNtGCLrgY
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ABOUT GLEN MORAY
Glen Moray is one of Scotland’s best loved single malt whiskies. It has been crafted since 1897 in the ancient town of Elgin, the capital of the Speyside whisky region, on what was once the Elgin West Brewery site on the banks of the River Lossie. Pure waters from the river, locally malted barley, distillation in traditional copper stills and maturation in American ex-bourbon casks combine to give the whisky its smooth, well-balanced, classic Speyside character. Glen Moray has always been a place where curiosity about flavour and cask maturation has been encouraged. Records dating back to the early days show new make spirit maturing in a wide variety of different casks – a highly unusual practice at this time. A passion for experimentation and a deep knowledge of wood have been passed down through generations of Glen Moray distillers. The result is today’s exceptional and extensive range of whiskies, offering a flavour and style to suit all tastes. Glen Moray is the 5th biggest malt whisky brand by volume in the UK and is growing in international markets.
ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE-BARDINET
Founded by Jean Cayard in 1934, La Martiniquaise is an independent French spirits group with a large portfolio of international brands. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in over 100 countries with 38 subsidiaries and production sites. The Group’s four pillars are Scotch whiskies, ports, brandies, wines, rums and craft spirits from France. www.la-martiniquaise.com
