SMWS 35.232 The St Bernard’s barrel

Posted 04 July 2019 by Matt / In Glen Moray
The Dramble reviews SMWS 35.232 The St Bernard’s barrel

Bottle Name: 35.232 The St Bernard’s barrel

ABV: 62.5%
Distillery: Glen Moray
Bottler: Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Flavour Profile: Spicy & dry
Region: Speyside Age: 10

Full term maturation in a 1st fill ex-red wine barrique for this Glen Moray. View on SMWS

Nose: Comice pears and orange peels sit alongside reduced berry fruits and leather-covered chairs. The oakiness is fairly pronounced – whilst strongly infused fruit teas are joined by chopped almonds. Dilution expresses lighter floral -  rose petals and potpourri whilst also amping up the cask influence with heady pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Taste: A bright and oily arrival of orange segments, passionfruit and mango. Again, the wood influence pushes through – deep, drying and tea-like – whilst additional red wine influences offer some balance with raspberries, cherries and blackcurrant syrup. In the background, deeper notes of burnt pastry and charred cask ends. The addition of water pronounces the wine elements – chocolate cake, leather and further red and black berry fruit.

Finish: Medium, quite dry and bitter with soured berries, apple tart and plenty of distinct oak.

There’s plenty of bright, defined wine-led fruitiness in this Glen Moray – but sadly, there’s also a rather uneasy balance between the spirit and the wood, with the oak leading rather than supporting. The end result feels too sharp, sour and bitter to really recommend.

Score: 79/100


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