In the company of Glen Moray’s Brand Ambassador Iain Allan, Simon Wittenberg samples the new UK exclusive 2005 Tokaji Finish from the Elgin distillery’s renowned ‘Warehouse 1’, which is limited to just 1,244 bottles.
Distilled in October 2005, Glen Moray’s new Tokaji Finish expression is the first of three whiskies from the brand’s ‘new look’ Warehouse 1 Collection, scheduled for release this year. What they all have in common is the fact that they commemorate the Scottish distillery’s classic Speyside spirit matured in barrels emanating from some of Europe’s oldest and most distinctively flavoured wine varieties.
Starting with Tokaji Aszú, a sweet viscous dessert wine produced in Hungary for hundreds of years, five chestnut-coloured 300-litre Hungarian oak casks that once held this alcohol, and that were stored in the distillery’s famed Warehouse 1, have been used to finish the latest expression, a small batch release of just 1,244 bottles available exclusively to UK customers. This was following 14 years in first-fill bourbon casks.
The result is a ‘full-on sweetshop’ of aromas on the nose, namely sugared almonds, caramel toffee and freshly-baked gingerbread. When it comes to the taste, there’s hints of fresh bread, maple syrup flavours and warm pecan pie, which culminates in a lingering marzipan finish that beautifully balances the structure of this Glen Moray spirit.
The bottle housing Glen Moray’s new cask strength bright gold whisky features a colourful Warehouse 1 stamp in deep, soft gold, representing the Tokaji casks, with an illustration of the warehouse in question also making an appearance, including the birds that circle overhead on a typical day at the distillery.
Glen Moray’s Brand Ambassador Iain Allan explained that the distillery searches the world for interesting casks, and they’re not afraid to push the boundaries, to try the unusual, and creatively combine Glen Moray whisky with unexpected casks. He added that it was fitting that Warehouse 1 now had its own new and distinctive identity, a mark that signifies exclusive, small scale releases.
Next in the Warehouse 1 Collection will be a 22-year-old Barolo cask finish in October. The distillery has also taken delivery of Amarone casks, and the other Warehouse 1 expression set for launch this year, in November, will use a Manzanilla cask, allowing the brand to spreads its wings in the category of Sherry.
Glen Moray Warehouse 1 2005 Tokaji Finish is bottled at cask strength (56.3% ABV), is non-chill-filtered and has a natural colour. The RRP is £75.
Glen Moray Warehouse 1 2005 Tokaji Finish – Where and How?
For more information on Glen Moray’s new expression, visit www.glenmoray.com or watch the YouTube clip here.