Glen Moray distillery

Introduction to Glen Moray

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Glen Moray is a quintessential Speyside distillery, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s most densely populated whisky region. Located on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, Glen Moray has been quietly crafting exceptional single malt whiskies for over a century. The distillery combines traditional Scottish whisky-making techniques with innovative cask experimentation, earning it a reputation as one of Speyside’s hidden gems.

Why we have a soft spot for Glen Moray

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate Glen Moray’s unpretentious approach to whisky making and their pioneering spirit. While some distilleries are content with tradition alone, Glen Moray has consistently pushed boundaries with their adventurous cask maturation program, experimenting with everything from port and Madeira casks to rum barrels and wine finishes. This commitment to innovation while maintaining accessibility makes Glen Moray a distillery that consistently delivers exceptional value and quality.

The History Behind Glen Moray

Origin and development

Glen Moray’s story begins in 1897 when the Elgin West Brewery was converted into a whisky distillery. Situated on the outskirts of the ancient cathedral city of Elgin, the distillery initially operated during a challenging period for the Scotch whisky industry. Despite early obstacles, including closures during both World Wars, Glen Moray persevered.

The distillery found stability when it was acquired by Macdonald & Muir (later to become part of Glenmorangie) in 1920, beginning a new chapter of consistent production. In 2008, Glen Moray became part of the French spirits company La Martiniquaise, which has continued to invest in the distillery’s facilities and expansion.

The people behind

Today’s Glen Moray is helmed by Master Distiller Graham Coull and his dedicated team, who collectively share a passion for experimentation and innovation. The distillery maintains a small, close-knit production staff who oversee every aspect of the whisky-making process with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each bottle reflects the care and craftsmanship that has defined Glen Moray for generations.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Glen Moray’s production begins with locally sourced Scottish barley, which undergoes traditional malting before arriving at the distillery. The distillery employs a relatively long fermentation period of up to 72 hours in Oregon pine washbacks, which contributes to the spirit’s fruity, estery character.

Distillation takes place in seven copper pot stills with relatively tall necks, producing a light, delicate new make spirit. Glen Moray is known for operating a slow, careful distillation that enhances the sweet, fruity notes that have become the distillery’s signature profile.

Maturation and aging

Where Glen Moray truly distinguishes itself is in its approach to cask maturation. While ex-bourbon barrels form the foundation of their aging program (thanks to a long-standing relationship with Beam Suntory), the distillery has been at the forefront of experimental cask finishes in the Scotch whisky world.

Their warehouses contain an impressive array of casks, including port pipes, Madeira drums, wine barriques, and rum barrels. This adventurous approach to maturation allows Glen Moray to offer a remarkably diverse range of flavor profiles while maintaining the distillery’s characteristic fruit-forward, accessible style.

Selected Products from Glen Moray

Glen Moray Classic – An introduction to the house style

This entry-level expression offers a perfect introduction to Glen Moray’s character. Matured in ex-bourbon casks, it delivers notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and fresh orchard fruits with a gentle, honeyed sweetness. Its approachable profile and remarkable value make it an excellent starting point for both newcomers to single malts and experienced enthusiasts alike.

Glen Moray 18 Year Old – An experience for connoisseurs

For those seeking a more complex expression, the 18 Year Old showcases what Glen Moray can achieve with extended maturation. Expect a sophisticated interplay of rich toffee, dried fruits, nutmeg, and polished oak with a luxurious, silky mouthfeel. The extended aging brings depth and complexity while maintaining the distillery’s inherent fruitiness and accessibility.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Glen Moray welcomes visitors to their picturesque distillery in Elgin, offering a range of tour options that provide insight into their whisky-making process. The standard tour includes a comprehensive walkthrough of production areas followed by a tasting of 3-5 expressions from their diverse portfolio. For enthusiasts seeking a deeper experience, their specialized warehouse tastings offer the opportunity to sample rare cask strength drams directly from the barrel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Glen Moray?

Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt whisky distillery located in Elgin, Scotland. It produces whisky with a focus on accessibility, innovation in cask maturation, and exceptional value. Their approach combines traditional Scottish whisky-making with pioneering cask experimentation to create distinctive and enjoyable single malts.

Where is Glen Moray located?

The distillery is situated on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, the historic capital of Morayshire in Scotland’s Speyside region. This location provides the soft water source that contributes to the distillery’s characteristic light and fruity spirit.

What characterizes Glen Moray whisky?

Glen Moray is especially known for its fruit-forward, accessible house style and pioneering approach to cask experimentation. Their whiskies typically feature notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and orchard fruits, with various limited editions showcasing exciting cask influences from wine, port, Madeira, and rum. Each bottling reflects their commitment to quality and value, offering exceptional whisky experiences at approachable price points.

Where can I buy whisky from Glen Moray?

You can find selected bottles from Glen Moray at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate the best expressions from their range—including both core releases and limited single casks—to ensure you have access to the most interesting and exceptional offerings from this innovative Speyside distillery.