Glen Moray Warehouse 1 2008 Manzanilla Finish
Glen Moray, a distillery from Speyside, located in the town of Elgin, is one of the pioneers of additional aging of whisky in special casks, or so-called "wood finishing. The first liquors of this type from under the Glen Moray banner appeared on the market back in the last century. These were whiskeys subjected to final maturation in Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc wine barrels, and debuted as early as 1999.
This distinguished yet increasingly appreciated distillery has just announced the release of the next whiskey in its Warehouse 1 series. This is the vintage Glen Moray 2008 Manzanilla Finish, whisky matured in American bourbon barrels, but subjected to additional maturation in Manzanilla sherry barrels from the bodega Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Cadiz (Spanish. Cádiz).
The whisky has been bottled according to recent standards - no cold filtration, no caramel coloring and no dilution. It left the barrels as a 54.6% strength beverage, and was bottled as such. Glen Moray 2008 Manzanilla Finish is, the manufacturer claims, a combination of the softness and delicacy of Speyside whisky with the delicate sea saltiness of Manzanilla sherry. This saltiness is a result of the location of the producers of this type of sherry. This is because it is produced where the Guadalquivir River in the Spanish province of Cadiz flows into the sea - actually the ocean.
The whisky was bottled in a series limited to 1240 bottles. According to the manufacturer, its bouquet carries accents of ripe pears, green apples, freshly cut grass, oak and spices, nuts and chamomile infusion. Retail price is £74.95 per bottle.
The Warehouse 1 series from Glen Moray began last autumn with the release of the first whisky in the series, Glen Moray 2006 Sauternes Cask (available only in the UK, release 11.2020). This was followed by Glen Moray 2005 Tokaji Finish (available only in the UK, release 06.2021), and Glen Moray 1998 Barolo Finish (available only in the UK, release 10.2021). The whisky just debuting, finished in Manzanilla sherry casks, is the fourth addition to this collection. However, the manufacturer announces that this is not the end and that we can expect more surprises in the coming year.
Those wishing to get a closer look at Glen Moray's products - mostly fine whisky, intended for casual, everyday consumption - are invited to look between the shelves of the House of Whisky Online and check out the what we have for you in this category.
[15.12.2021 / photo: Glen Moray]