Speyside distillery Glen Moray has released a Scotch whisky matured in Sauternes wine casks as the first expression in its new Warehouse 1 Collection.
Glen Moray Sauternes Cask Matured whisky is the debut release from Glen Moray’s new Warehouse 1 Collection. The range is named after the Elgin-based distillery’s Warehouse 1, which is home to innovative, maturing casks.
Distilled and bottled in 2006, the whisky matured in the warehouse for 14 years in five sweet Sauternes wine casks.
Glen Moray brand ambassador Iain Allan said: “There are a good few warehouses at our Elgin site, but Warehouse 1 is special. Over the years, this is where our distillery teams have quietly stored the results of their experiments and cask adventures.
“As a result we have pockets of casks holding the most interesting and incredible tasting whiskies scattered throughout the warehouse, which we are now uncovering, tasting and making plans to release.
“It’s fitting and very exciting that, starting with this superb Sauternes bottling, these whiskies will now be enjoyed by drinkers as part of our Warehouse 1 Collection in years to come.”
The resulting liquid combines the brand’s signature ‘smooth, light Speyside style’ with the ‘aromatic, honeyed sweetness’ of the French dessert wine. It has notes of dark chocolate, caramel, Seville orange and spice.
Glen Moray’s head of whisky creation, Dr Kirstie McCallum, said: ‘We’re very proud to be releasing our Sauternes Cask Matured expression in time for the festive season – and as the first whisky in our new Warehouse 1 Collection.
“This is an absolute cracker of a dram, and a perfect marriage of Glen Moray’s spirit with all the rich, deliciously sweet flavours you would enjoy in a glass of Sauternes. It’s a real celebration of flavour and Glen Moray’s passion for unusual cask maturation.”
There are 1,248 bottles of the whisky available at a cask strength of 59.6% ABV. It is available to buy exclusively in the UK from specialist whisky shops, priced at RRP £79.99 (US$107) per 700ml.
In July this year, Glen Moray unveiled three new wine cask-finished expressions as part of its annual Distillery Edition range.
