SMWS 35.275 Glen Moray 25 1994 “A desert island dr(e)am”

I don’t quite remember exactly why I bought this, especially for the price, but it had something to do with how much Jenna liked it in the tasting. Maybe she made a favorable comparison to something I know I liked? Anyway, I was willing enough and have finally opened it…

Glen Moray 25, 1994 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.275, Speyside Single Malt, 59.6% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on November 24, 1994 and matured in a 1st-fill toasted hogshead for 25 years yielding 180 bottles. This is part of the Juicy, Oak & Vanilla flavor profile named “A desert island dr(e)am”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Auburn, polished mahogany; 1.5.

Nose: Rich, toasty, and woody. Musty. Dried fruit. Malty vanilla. Very nice.

Taste: Sweet, spicy, woody. Cinnamon.

Finish: Maple and bourbon. Wood spice. Medium-long, leaning longer.

…and boy am I glad I have. I’ve been finding that as my palate grows and I like unpeated malts more than I did, I still prefer peat, generally, but when I like an unpeated expression I really like it. A recently reviewed old Glenlivet comes to mind.

Score: 88

Musical Evocation: Skyclad – “Our Dying Island”

SMWS 35.239 Glen Moray 23 1995 "Sweet seduction"

I nabbed this sample pack at an auction because it featured the Ardbeg with a name I found really enjoyable, plus it gave me 4 other samples from distilleries I’d otherwise have been unlikely to try. Here’s the first of them.

Glen Moray 23, 1995 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 35.239, Speyside Single Malt, 52.9% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on October 27, 1995 and matured in a 1st fill ex-bourbon barrel for 23 years yielding 202 bottles. This is part of the Old & Dignified flavor profile named “Sweet seduction”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Deep gold, 0.8.

Nose: Honey, vanilla, coconut.

Taste: Honey, spice, malt, wood.

Finish: Malty honey, vanilla, coffee bean. Coconut. Medium-short.

This is alright, it doesn’t hit the smoky notes I prefer, but I like it well enough. Has me looking forward to a bottle I took a chance on a few months ago.

Score: 75