Glen Moray doesn't always get the credit it deserves. Sitting quietly in the heart of Speyside, it's one of those distilleries that serious whisky drinkers know about but casual fans often overlook. This Centenary bottling with a port wood finish, released in 1997, is exactly the kind of bottle that reminds you why paying attention to the quieter names pays off.
At £250, you're paying for history as much as liquid. A 1997 bottling marking the distillery's centenary is a genuine piece of Speyside heritage, and the port wood finish adds a layer of intrigue that was far less common in the late nineties than it is today. Back then, wood finishes were still relatively novel — distilleries were experimenting, and some of those early experiments produced genuinely distinctive results. This is one of them.
What to Expect
Glen Moray's house style leans approachable and fruit-forward, and the port wood finishing here is going to push that in a richer, darker direction. Port pipes bring dried fruit sweetness, berry compote notes, and a gentle tannic structure that gives the whisky more weight than the 40% ABV might suggest. At that bottling strength, this was clearly designed for easy drinking — no cask strength fireworks, just clean, well-integrated flavour. That's not a criticism. At its best, 40% forces the distiller to rely on quality spirit and good wood rather than hiding behind high proof.
Being a NAS release, we don't know the exact age of the spirit, but Glen Moray has always been consistent with its core production. Expect a Speyside backbone — cereals, orchard fruit, a touch of honey — layered with whatever the port casks have contributed during finishing. Given the era this was bottled in, the finishing period was likely meaningful rather than a quick cosmetic dip.
The Verdict
I rate this an 8 out of 10, and here's why. This bottle sits at an intersection of quality, history, and collectability that's hard to find at this price point. Yes, £250 is serious money, but try finding another sealed 1997 commemorative bottling from a respected Speyside distillery for less. The port wood finish was ahead of its time, the presentation marks a genuine milestone, and Glen Moray's reliable distillate means you're not gambling on the liquid inside. It's the kind of bottle that rewards you whether you open it for a special occasion or hold onto it as part of a collection. I'd open it — whisky is for drinking, and this one has waited long enough.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a Glencairn glass at room temperature. Give it a good ten minutes to open up after pouring — older bottlings at 40% can be a little shy at first, but they reward patience. A few drops of water won't hurt if you want to see what the port influence does when it loosens up, but I'd taste it undiluted first. This isn't a cocktail whisky. At this age and price, you want the full, uninterrupted experience. Save the mixing for something younger.
