Glen Moray 2011 Aged 9 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Infrequent Flyers #53 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 58%           Age: 9 Years Old           Country: Scotland

Cask Number: 2358
Date of Distilling: 2011
Matured In: Virgin Oak Barrel
Un-Chillfiltered

Independent bottlers, have been around for a many years. They source whiskies from different distilleries throughout Scotland and around the world, and using their experience bottle them as single casks. These whiskies are then presented in their most natural form which includes no chill filtering, bottling at natural colour, and more options at cask strength.

Established in 2008 The Alistair Walker Company is based in Grangemouth in Central Scotland. Alistair has almost 20 years experience in the whisky industry and is not affiliated to any one distillery. Alistair’s career in the whisky industry began in January 1997, at Burn Stewart Distillers in a sales and marketing role for over six years. At that time Burn Stewart was the custodian of two single malt distilleries – Deanston and Tobermory. In October 2004, he joined The BenRiach Distillery Company, and remained with them for over twelve years, until the business was eventually sold. This was a new-start business, that had been set up in 2004 following the acquisition, by three entrepreneurs, of the BenRiach Distillery from Pernod Ricard. In addition to BenRiach, Alistair also had the good fortune to work with the GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, with BenRiach having acquired GlenDronach in 2008, and then Glenglassaugh in 2013. In 2018, Alistair found himself on hiatus, and contemplating what to do next.

Keen to be his own boss and also wishing to remain in the whisky sector, he decided to venture into the exciting world of independent bottling. Making the move from distillery to independent bottler is very much a case of ‘gamekeeper turned poacher’. Fortunately, independent bottling is a vibrant category at present; as more and more whisky enthusiasts are seeking out single cask bottlings and whisky releases that are a little different, somewhat unique, and often from less familiar distilleries.

The whiskies the are bottled under the brand name ‘Infrequent Flyers’. That name refers to the nature of many of the casks that are bottled – often whiskies from lesser-known distilleries that are of excellent quality, but have never been widely or consistently available. As such, many of the bottlings are of whiskies that you just don’t see so often – hence the name ‘Infrequent Flyers’.

Glen Moray has a long wonderful history and it is a brand we are all (or should be) quite familiar with. The distillery was established in 1897 then closed in 1910 then reopened again in the 1920’s. The distillery is found in the town of Moray near Elgin and is bounded by the Moray Firth to the north. Distilling in this area is a major local industry and the Glen Moray distillery has always played a big part in local employment at the distillery and also preparing the ingredients which are grown locally. You should expect oatmeal, shortbread, blackcurrants and a lemony grassy flavour, A splash of water and there is a wonderful hint of heather.

This single cask single malt whisky was distilled at the Glen Moray Distillery before being placed in a virgin oak barrel in 2011 and left to mature for 9 years. It was bottled at 58% abv and marks bottling number 53 of the Infrequent Flyers.

Only 238 bottles were produced for worldwide distribution.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Charred stone fruits, tropical fruit salad, creamy vanilla and soft spice.

Palate: Banana fritters, creme anglaise, toasted chopped nuts, lemon citrus and soft oak spice.

Finish: Long and rich with melted chocolate, fairy bread, stone fruits and oily almost buttery mouthfeel.