Madeira is seeing a rise in popularity around the world, which just happens to line up perfectly with the release of the new Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project whisky. The Speyside distillery expanded its “experimental” Elgin Curiosity range with the launch of a limited edition single malt matured in Portugese Island fortified wine casks.
The Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project whisky was fully matured in ex-sweet Madeira hogsheads for 13 years and 10 months. Back in 2006, the distillery laid down seven Madeir casks in the Elgin-based distillery’s Warehouse 1. They were discovered by Glen Moray’s head of whisky creation, Kirstie McCallum, who gave them a try.
According to McCallum, “Single malt whisky matured in Madeira casks has been prized in the industry before, but typically the casks have only been used to ‘finish’ more conventionally matured whisky.”
“That’s what makes this new expression so very special. Our new make spirit has been slowly mingling with the luxuriously sweet flavours of Madeira for nearly 14 years, giving a depth of flavour and an intense character that couldn’t otherwise be created,” she added.
“It’s a delicious dram, a dessert in a glass, and we are very much looking forward to sharing it with whisky drinkers in the UK.”
The distillery is describing the single malt as a “rich and indulgent combination of Glen Moray’s classic Speyside style and the sweet fruit and toffee influences of Madeira”.
The Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project is the third expression in the distillery’s Elgin Curiosity range. Previously, they released a single malt finished in agricole rum casks and a cider cask-finished bottling.
The Speyside distillery looks to “push the boundaries of single malt maturation” with its Curiosity range and celebrate the brand’s “passion for cask experimentation and flavour”.
Glen Moray Madeira Cask Project is bottled at 46.3% ABV and priced at £65 (US$81.82) per 700ml bottle. Only 1,468 bottles exist are being sold at specialist whisky stores throughout the UK.
