Travel Distilled’s guide to the Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin on Speyside in Scotland, with its history, signature releases and how to tour Glen Moray.

Nestled on the banks of the River Lossie in the historic royal burgh of Elgin, Glen Moray Distillery stands as one of Speyside’s most welcoming and prolific producers of single malt Scotch whisky. Known for its approachable style, sunny disposition, and an enduring commitment to experimentation with cask finishes, the distillery has carved out a unique space in the whisky world.

While many Speyside distilleries lean into a sense of grandeur or exclusivity, Glen Moray maintains the atmosphere of a working community hub, where the staff are as likely to be found chatting with locals in the cafe as they are tending to the copper stills.

Glen Moray Distillery Location

Glen Moray is situated in the Laich of Moray, a fertile coastal plain that is often referred to as the granary of Scotland. This specific pocket of the Speyside region enjoys a remarkably mild microclimate; an old local saying suggests that the Laich has forty days more summer than any other part of the country. For the distillery, this translates to slightly warmer maturation conditions than those found in the higher, wind-swept glens of the Highlands.

The distillery buildings sit on the western edge of Elgin, sheltered by the Gallow Hill. The River Lossie, which flows alongside the site, provides the water essential for the cooling processes of production. Its position in Elgin makes it one of the most accessible distilleries in the region, conveniently located just a short distance from the A96, the main road connecting Inverness and Aberdeen.

Glen Moray History

The story of Glen Moray began not with whisky, but with ale. In 1830, the site was established as the West Brewery, producing local beers for several decades. It was not until 1897, during the height of the Victorian whisky boom, that the brewery was converted into a distillery. This transition saw the installation of two pot stills, and the first drop of spirit flowed in September of that year.

The early twentieth century brought hardship to the industry, and Glen Moray was forced to close its doors in 1910. It remained silent for over a decade until it was rescued in 1923 by the famous blending firm Macdonald & Muir, who also owned the Glenmorangie Distillery. Under their stewardship, Glen Moray became a vital component of Highland Queen blends while also slowly building its reputation as a single malt.

Significant expansion occurred in 1958 when the number of stills was doubled. For many years, Glen Moray was positioned as a high-quality yet affordable malt, often found on the shelves of supermarkets alongside more famous names. In 2008, the distillery was sold to the French group La Martiniquaise. Since then, it has undergone a renaissance, with massive investments in production capacity and a renewed focus on its premium single malt identity, particularly through its innovative Warehouse 1 series.

Glen Moray’s Signature Releases

The spirit produced at Glen Moray is classically Speyside: light, fruity, and remarkably floral. Because of the relatively small size and shape of its stills, the spirit retains a creamy mouthfeel that serves as an excellent canvas for various wood types.

The core of the range is the Elgin Classic, a non-age-statement single malt matured in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks. It is defined by notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and citrus. Beyond this entry point, the distillery is famous for its Cask Finish collection. Glen Moray was a pioneer in using wine casks long before it became a widespread industry trend; today, they offer regular expressions finished in Port, Sherry, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other casks.

For those seeking more depth, the Heritage range includes age-statement whiskies such as the 12, 15, and 18 Year Olds. The 18 Year Old is particularly revered for its sophisticated oak influence and dried fruit notes. At the pinnacle of their craft is the Warehouse 1 collection, which features small-batch, cask-strength releases that have been matured in more exotic casks, such as Barolo, Tokaji, or Manzanilla sherry casks.

Visiting Glen Moray

Glen Moray is widely considered one of the friendliest distilleries for visitors to Scotland. It operates a dedicated visitor centre that serves as the heart of the site, welcoming everyone from seasoned connoisseurs to those who have never tasted a single malt before.

Cafe and Restaurant

One of the highlights of a visit is the on-site coffee shop. Unlike many distilleries that only offer snacks, Glen Moray provides a full menu of light lunches, homemade soups, and sandwiches. It is particularly famous for its daily selection of cakes and traybakes, which are often enjoyed with a locally roasted coffee. During the warmer months, visitors can sit in the outdoor courtyard, which is dog-friendly and offers a peaceful spot to soak in the distillery atmosphere.

Tours and Experiences

The distillery offers a variety of guided tours that allow guests to walk through the production areas, from the mash tun to the still house and into the atmospheric dunnage warehouses.

The Distillery Explorer Tour: This is the standard introductory tour, providing a comprehensive overview of the whisky-making process. It concludes with a tutored tasting of two whiskies from the range.

The Fifth Chapter Tour: For those looking for a deeper dive, this experience is often led by senior members of the team. It focuses on the history of the distillery over the decades and includes a more extensive tasting of premium or older expressions.

Tasting Flights: If you do not have time for a full tour, the visitor centre offers various tasting flights in their dedicated tasting room. These can be tailored to your interests, whether you want to explore the influence of different wine casks or compare various age statements.

The Driver’s Package: In a thoughtful touch, Glen Moray provides small sample bottles for designated drivers. This allows those behind the wheel to participate in the tour and then take their tasting measures home to enjoy later.

Contact Information

Address: Glen Moray Distillery, Bruceland Road, Elgin, Moray IV30 1YE
Phone Number: 01343 550900
Website: glenmoray.com

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