Introduction
We’re diving into a Speyside single malt Scotch today with Glen Moray 12 Year. For those unfamiliar, Speyside is a region known for producing some of the most delicate Scotch whiskies, often characterized by their bright, fruity, and floral notes.
A few weeks back, we explored Old Pulteney, a Highland Scotch, and compared the subtleties between Highland and Speyside whiskies. Now, with Glen Moray, we’re shifting focus to see how this 12-year-old single malt measures up. Glen Moray is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and is aged in American oak casks, presumably ex-bourbon, but the specifics remain a bit of a mystery.
The following review is taken from our episode "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves / Glen Moray 12 Year Single Malt Scotch." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: This is a very fine whiskey on the nose—nothing too complex but solid nonetheless. I picked up honeycomb, crushed walnuts, lemon zest, and a slight herbaceous note. It’s okay, but it doesn’t blow me away. I’d give it 6.5/10.
Bob: I found this to be very bright, which is something we often describe in Irish whiskies, but it applies here too. It’s sweet and fruity with notes of melon and lemon zest. There’s also a touch of something reminiscent of champagne—a bright grape-like note. I really liked this nose and hope the palate holds up. For me, it’s a 7.5/10.
Taste
Brad: The palate was solid but not overwhelmingly good. There were mixed nuts, a strong presence of honey, and a distinct graininess from the barley. The more I sipped, the more I detected a nice, nutty toffee flavor. It’s a decent sip, so I’ll give it a 7/10.
Bob: I was disappointed here. The maltiness on the palate reminded me of drinking a really bitter, cheap beer. The nose promised something bright and fruity, but the taste was much more malty and spicy than I expected, and it lacked sweetness. It’s a letdown after that promising nose. I’m giving it a 6/10.
Finish
Brad: I actually liked the finish. It had notes of white pepper, saline, a hint of mint, and spicy oak. It was a decent finish overall, so I’m giving it a 7/10.
Bob: The finish is where this really fell apart for me. It had a white pepper and saline quality, but there was also a weird waxy mouthfeel that left an unpleasant aftertaste. It was short and unimpressive. I’m giving it a 5.5/10.
Balance
Brad: The balance here is okay. The flavors are consistent throughout, but there isn’t much complexity. It’s decent, but nothing to write home about. I’m giving it a 6.5/10.
Bob: When we talk about balance, we’re really talking about consistency from nose to taste to finish. This whiskey was inconsistent for me. The nose was bright and fruity, but the taste and finish felt like they belonged to a completely different whiskey. It’s not well-balanced by our definition, so I’m giving it a 5.5/10.
Value
Brad: At around $40, this is just a decent value. It’s not a terrible price, but I don’t think I’d recommend it over other options in this range. I’ll give it a 6/10.
Bob: I wouldn’t pay $40 for this whiskey. Even at a lower price point, it doesn’t offer enough quality to justify the purchase. I’m giving it a 5/10 for value.
Final Scores
- Brad’s Final Score: 33/50
- Bob’s Final Score: 29.5/50
- Average Final Score: 31.25/50
Conclusion
Glen Moray 12 Year didn’t quite live up to our expectations. While it had a promising nose, the taste and finish failed to deliver the bright and fruity experience we were hoping for. At around $40, it’s one of the cheaper 12-year single malts you’ll find, but unfortunately, it drinks like one of the cheapest, too. For us, it falls short of the 35/50 mark where we’d start recommending a pour at a bar or even a bottle purchase. There are just better options out there, and we’d recommend looking elsewhere if you’re in the market for a quality Speyside.
If you find yourself in a situation where Glen Moray is your only option, it’s drinkable, but you’re better off spending your money on a more consistent and balanced single malt. This one just doesn’t make the cut.
