Review: Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.142

SMWS Code: 35.142
Code Name: “Sweet treats and forbidden pleasures”
Distillery: Glen Moray
Age: 21 years
Cask: 1st Fill Hogshead Toasted Oak

Appearance: 1.4, Tawny

Nose: Moderate body, caramel and vanilla at the forefront, very little wood detectable, lychee, white grapes, coffee cake, shortbread, butter cream frosting, a hint of sawdust and almost green wood.

Taste: Spicy oak and tannins up front, I get some tart fruits (raspberry, white grapefruit), quite effervescent, light brown sugar, bitter coffee, some wood ash, pepper and cinnamon, Turkish delight, really nice moderate oak influence; definitely comes across as toasted oak.

Finish: Dry oak, spicy (cinnamon and pepper), more lychee and shortbread, golden syrup. Lingering toasted oak to round things out.

Notes: I am really a sucker for these SMWS Glen Moray aged in 1st fill toasted oak casks. They combine everything I love about a well aged single malt with the sweet, spicy and oaky elements of a great bourbon. It’s a perfect marriage of two worlds. For this whisky, if I didn’t know better, I would say this one almost has a hint of rye whisky in the profile to me; at least that’s how the particular combination of spice and fruity/floral comes across. The oak is definitely a star, but it doesn’t come across as heavy, bitter, or harsh oak, the way a lot of bourbons do; hence why the descriptor “toasted” seems very appropriate here. Wonderful stuff.

Score: 90/100