🥃 Glen Moray
Distillery and single malt whisky brand in Elgin (Moray, Speyside), converted into a distillery in 1897; owned by the French group La Martiniquaise since 2008.
Glen Moray is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky from a distillery in Elgin, in the Moray region. It stands on the bank of the River Lossie, in a former brewery converted into a distillery in 1897. Since 2008 the owner has been the French group La Martiniquaise, and the whisky is known for its soft, fruity style.
History. According to Whiskypedia, the building was erected in 1828 as the West Brewery on the outskirts of Elgin; in 1897 it was converted into a distillery, and in 1910 it closed. In 1923 it was bought by Macdonald & Muir, owner of Glenmorangie, and production resumed. The distillery was then owned by the Glenmorangie Company (1996–2004), LVMH (2004–2008) and finally La Martiniquaise, which bought it mainly for the spirit for its own brands.
How it is made. Capacity is 3.3 million litres of pure alcohol per year, with six onion-shaped stills and nine washbacks of 55,000 litres each. Water is drawn from the River Lossie. After 2008 more of the whisky matures in first-fill American oak barrels, which adds creamy notes.
Range. Glen Moray was one of the first to try wine cask finishes, using Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay casks; the first finishes appeared in 1999. The range includes Classic (40%, American oak), 12, 16 and 18-year-old expressions, Classic Port Finish and Classic Peated.
Why this matters to you. The words Chardonnay Cask or Port Finish mean the final maturation in those casks, not wine added to the whisky. The age on the label refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Year founded | 1897 (former West Brewery, 1828); Elgin, Moray |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890) (Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Speyside) |
| EU category | 2 — whisky/whiskey |
| Raw material | barley malt; water from the River Lossie |
| Distillation method | twice, 6 copper stills; 3.3 million litres of pure alcohol per year |
| Cask type | mainly American oak; finishes in wine and port casks |
| Minimum maturation | at least 3 years in oak by law |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | Classic — 40% ABV; at least 40% by law |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Glen Moray → kind of → 🥃 Whisky → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🐝 American white oak
- Made from
- 🥃 Barley and malt in whisky
- What it contains
- 🧪 Water, 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🥃 Whisky, 🥃 Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Speyside whisky
- Related to
- 🌍 Western Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 The GlenDronach, 🥃 The GlenDronach, 🥃 Tamdhu, 🥃 Tamdhu, 🥃 Glenfarclas, 🥃 Glenfarclas
Frequently asked questions
Is Glen Moray a Scotch under UK law?
Yes: the Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 require oak maturation of at least 3 years and a strength of at least 40% ABV.
Who owns Glen Moray?
A French group, since 2008; before that it belonged to a luxury group and to the maker of another Highland malt.
What does a Port or Chardonnay finish mean on a Glen Moray?
A final maturation in those casks, not wine added to the whisky. The distillery was an early adopter of wine finishes.
Is Glen Moray a soft or a peaty Speyside malt?
Mostly soft and fruity, with creamy notes from first-fill barrels; a peated version is a separate bottling.
Which ages does Glen Moray offer?
Classic, then 12, 16 and 18 years old, plus finishes.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 Western Europe — France, the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg: a mild, moist climate, pastures and hundreds of cheeses such as Roquefort, Camembert, Gouda and Cheddar.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
- 🐝 American white oak — A North American oak that gives wine strong vanilla and coconut notes.
Similar
🥃 Glen Elgin · 🥃 Benrinnes · 🥃 Dailuaine · 🥃 Knockdhu · 🥃 Allt-a-Bhainne · 🥃 Teaninich
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
What it includes
Sources
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- Scotchwhisky.com (Whiskypedia): Glen Moray (West Brewery 1828, distillery 1897, owners, 3.3 mln litres, six stills, nine washbacks, River Lossie, wine cask finishes)
- Difford's Guide: Glen Moray (est. 1897, Elgin, La Martiniquaise, range)
- Glen Moray (official site): Speyside single malt; Classic 40 % matured in American oak
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)