Sherry time in the form of this 21 year old Glen Moray that has spent its life in a refill ex-oloroso butt. Deep, Rich & Dried Fruits profile.
Nose: Immediate sherry – rum-soaked raisins, sultanas, chocolate cake, and richly stewed fruits (raspberries and redcurrants). Tobacco pouches, heavily tanned leather a good dash of balsamic vinegar provide depth and mature aromas. There is however more than a hint of struck match and saltpeter here (and I’m usually not the susceptible, nor worried about this). A few drops of water brings out further sugars with toffee, caramel and fudge all well represented.
Taste: Demi-sweet with earthy and musty sherry mixing with fresher, more vibrant fruits. Ripe berries, chocolate, cake, raisins and rum are joined by full-on sherry flavour which tastes quite old and fusty. It’s an interesting combination of fresh and aged. Water reduces the impact of the top end flavours, particular the sweet sugars, but does introduce a touch more balance and cask influence in the form of light pepperiness.
Finish: Medium to long and full of nuttiness and chocolate. But, there’s some oak tannins along for the ride too.
An almost excellent Glen Moray that is lessened by some very perceptible sulphur. Whilst less noticeable on the palate, the I found the nose to be quite volcanic in places, which detracted away from the overall experience of fresh fruits combined with aged sherry. Rich and full-bodied, there is still much to enjoy here and a little resting is bound to diminish the sulphurous edges.