Reviews of scotch and world whiskies by a history professor, his wife, bird, and three cats.

Glen Moray 21 Year (1995), Cask 7280 for Spec's

Glen Moray 21 Year (1995), Cask 7280 for Spec's

Whisky: Glen Moray 21 Year (1995), Cask 7280 for Spec's

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 55%

Cask: Sherry

Age: 20 Years (Distilled 1995, Bottled 2016)


Nose: Rich stewed fruits, baking spices, chocolate, hints of leather with a touch of earthy funk at times, berries and jam with mellow citrus.

Palate: Medium-bodied, balanced, peppery at times, dried fruits, baking spices, chocolate, anise, leather in the background with hints of coffee; waxy at times with citrus at the end.

Finish: Medium-length, slightly drying, and peppery, with dried fruits and baking spices.


Score: 6-7

Mental Image: Probably not Alice’s Diner

Narrative & Notes: With the aroma, I found memories of an old diner— leather booths with a cracked plastic finish, hints of coffee and chocolate cream pie, jars of rich jam, and fruity syrups. Stewed fruits in a butter crust, rich berry jam spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and hints of citrusy zesty lemon meringue promised it was time for pie. Medium-bodied and balanced with a peppery spirit around the edges, the profile featured dried fruits, baking spices, and chocolate. Stewed plums and little jam jars with berries, cinnamon, and anise arrived first. A hint of leathery funk mellowed in the background with waxed countertops, dark chocolate, and hints of coffee. A lovely waxiness built over time and carried more citrus zest to the end. The finish was medium-length, slightly drying, and peppery, with dried fruits and baking spices.

I received this sample from a friend who famously identifies as a sherry-fiend, or I consider him one anyone, so I should have known this was going to be a cask-dominant whisky. The malty-herbal Glen Moray character was largely subsumed under the cask's influence. Yet, this was always more than just a one-note firecracker. It was balanced and refined in a way that few sherry-driven whiskies are, especially the modern hyper-aggressive style that so many love.

The mild waxiness that built over the experience was a nice touch and gave the mouthfeel a vaguely Clynelish aspect. It was a touch peppery and spirited at times, though not to a particularly distracting level. If anything, I would describe it as that sort of liveliness that is quite enjoyable and enhances the experience.

Overall, this was lovely. Spec's snagged a solid cask of Glen Moray–– now, if only I could go back in time and grab one too.

Glen Moray 28 Year (1990), Thompson Brothers

Glen Moray 28 Year (1990), Thompson Brothers

Glen Moray 13 Year (2002), Alexander Murray

Glen Moray 13 Year (2002), Alexander Murray