Glen Moray 21 Years Port Wood Single Malt Whisky

The parent company also owns venerable port label Porto Cruz, which handily supplied the necessary wood for the 21-year port wood cask finished expression reviewed here. Glen Moray has historically been one of the most willing distilleries to focus on nontraditional barrel finishes, incorporating a multitude of wine barrels including Chenin blanc and chardonnay into their repertoire.

The Elgin Heritage collection debuted in 2016 with 12 years, 15 years, and 18-year expression. The 21 years, Portwood finish is the oldest of the Elgin Heritage collection and the newest addition to the roster.Tasting Notes: Glen Moray 21 Year Old Portwood Finish

Vital Stats:  46.3% abv, non-chill filtered,  malted barley, 21 years, 2-year Portwood finish,

There’s light sheeting with medium-length legs.

Nose: There’s a very nice representation of ripe plums, vanilla Werther’s candies, and golden cane sugar, with blueberry scones and crystalized ginger lurking underneath. This whisky is very pleasant, if a touch unremarkable for a whisky of this age, to smell.

Palate: The opening salvo is sweet and a little prickly, with waves of ripe dark fruit and caramel. . Baking spices and Armagnac-soaked prunes appear towards the end.It comes across as remarkably balanced and lean, for better or for worse.