Glen Moray 21 year Madeira Finish

Nose: Old oak, leather, full-bodied fortified wine. Lemon zest, barley sugar. There is both a light and dark side to this nose. Water improves it by adding structure and body. Palate: Spicy and semi-sweet arrival with lots of the wine influence. Raisins and walnuts in the development, turning gradually sweeter. Leafy and earthy with a little tobacco. The texture is OK. When watered the palate develops balancing sweetness which is very welcome. Finish: Medium. Leather and tobacco with slightly bitter citrus. Again the finish is sweetened and lengthened by dilution. The more usually encountered Glen Moray 21 has a port cask finish. This expression finished in Madeira casks is only allocated to the Chinese market, but it can also be tasted at the distillery. It’s good but not magnificent. A straightforward, capable whisky that is considerably improved by the addition of a teaspoon of water. When tasted neat I was going to give this 3.5 at best but with water it approaches 4 stars … but just misses. Tasted at the distillery. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)