Quarter century Glen Moray that has slumbers for 23 years in 1st fill ex-bourbon and then been given an additional maturation in a 1st fill ex-sauternes barrique. Interesting choice.
Nose: Well-polished with lemon and orange jellies combined into a wobbly St Clements, whilst meringue and a slice of sponge cake sit with crushed cashew nuts. Straight-forward, but entirely pleasant. Reduction broadens things offering both sweet and savoury notes together – mandarin and pineapple cream offset against leafy greens and hot house vines.
Taste: Less polished, but still tropically focussed and well-adjusted in terms of the ABV vs mouthfeel. Roasted pineapple rings and mango slices sit with desiccated coconut whilst spirity molasses and raw can sugars develop in to crackerbread and Chantilly cream pepped up with a grind of pepper. Dilution works well here – a chocolate bonbons filled with defined and expressive orange jelly – quite pleasantly popping throughout the palate.
Finish: Medium with fading tropical fruits offset against well-judged progressive dryness.
This Glen Moray voyage is undertaken on a slightly narrow ship – resulting in every island looking highly appealing, but at the same time rather similarly. Nevertheless, there’s good weather throughout and the on-board service is consistently solid.