Glen Moray distillery is located in the Speyside town of Elgin, Morayshire and was founded in 1897 when a former brewery (West) was converted into a distillery.

It was closed in 1910, only briefly trying to reopen for a few months before it fell silent for more than ten years.

MacDonald & Muir purchased the distillery in 1902 but didn't resume production until 1923.

Glen Moray was rebuilt in 1958 and in 1956, MacDonald & Muir changed their name to Glenmorangie PLC before selling out to LVMH in 2004.

LVMH sold the distillery on to La Martiniquaise in 2008.

More great distillery info here thanks to Malt Madness

General whisky characteristics: Aromatic, light, slightly oily

Glen Moray, (OB), 8y, 43% ABV

1990's presentation

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Very pale gold

Nose: Very aromatic new shoe leather (not heavy boots, more like calf-skin mocassins) expanding slowly to incloude sugar-coated almonds and light popcorn.

Palate: Initially slightly oily in texture but offering a fresh spiciness across the palate. The flavours are very faint and include malt, popcorn and even very slight hints of coconut.

Finish: Medium

Overall Impression: Very light, but tingly, aperitif whisky. Maybe serve with slightly smoky cheese for extra depth and effect.

A bit of fun,

Glen Moray 8y as above, but 'Graced' by 7 days in a 'Grande Fine Metaxa decanter'

Why? Well, why not? I had finished the Metaxa (which my local Greek restaurant says is 40y, but the decanter markings only state "very old") and as this is an extremely aromatic drink, I decided to pour a little of the nearest whisky I had to hand into the empty, but very fragrant decanter. There it stood for 7 whole days. Did it make any difference? Is it drinkable? Read on;

Glass: Spiegelau

Colour: No change, still pale gold (as there was no actual Metaxa left in the decanter to enrich the colour.)

Nose: Very aromatic new shoe leather with hints of oak. (The lighter sugar and almond elements have gone).

Palate: Still slightly oily, but much richer with a very definite cognac influence. Gone are the malt, popcorn and coconut

Finish: Long, with a red-wine / cognac dryness

Overall Impression: I'm impressed, possibly better than the original un'graced' version.