34 years old, 53.8% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 330 bottles

Some bottles are fond memories that are burnished with every recollection - the only thing as satisfying as that memory is discovering that it was accurate. So it was with hope and trepidation that I selected this to share with people for my birthday this year.

The nose has soft toffee and a hint of caramel, cinnamon and hints of old leather tobacco pouches. The mouthfeel is decent -

very smooth and a little cling. The body has toffee pennies, polished old oak furniture and then cinnamon towards the finish. The finish is long with cinnamon, soft well worn leather and dried tobacco leaves.

Water isn't necessary, but I'll try a little anyway. The whorling is thick but rapidly spreading, dissipating without mottling. The nose now gains hints of kiwi fruit and hard pears, and the tobacco note from before the water is much more present. The body gains more of the old oak furniture and the tobacco, and the cinnamon is also a little more pronounced. The finish also gains old oak furniture, and lasts considerably longer with cinnamon coming through towards the end. Strangely, this dram is also now a little thicker in its mouthfeel and has more cling!

This dram didn't disappoint. An elegant, well constructed joy that shows just how underrated Glen Moray is. A wonderful dram to share with friends on a special occasion.

5/5