Glen Moray Elgin Classic

I enjoyed the 12-year-old, so I wanted to sample this affordable starter. Poured neat, the nose is somewhat floral with light malt, fruit, and unripe banana. A soft mouthfeel leads to a palate of thin malt, mild green banana, oak, and even some subtle peat in the background providing a mild coffee note. It's hotter than its proof would suggest, but the bottle mellows over time. The finish is short to medium, with drying oak and a slight bitterness, followed by a malty coffee note in the background. This is a young scotch lacking body and depth, but finding a single malt in the low 20s is difficult. It's superior to most blends without the dreaded low-grade (hangover-inducing) grain alcohol. However, if you want to get into single malt scotch, this isn't the place to begin. It's acceptable but I wouldn't buy it again...74/100...not bad as a light scotch to extend your good stuff, though Speyburn Bradan Orach is better for less.

Nose: Somewhat fruity and sweet. It has a shortbread character, but not as pronounced as their packaging suggests. Palate: Malty. Some citrus fruit attempts to come through. Very light and slightly oily. Finish: Brief. A little sour. Oily. The shortbread notes are more apparent here than on the nose. Not very pleasant. Overall Thoughts: I did not enjoy this. I purchased it two years ago and am glad I didn't spend much on it. I would not recommend it. It didn't hit the mark.

Consider this for cocktails given the price, and also taste it on its own. There's a bit too much ethanol initially, but it improves after a few minutes. This is a malty whisky with lemon notes. It's quite simple, but I found it very enjoyable. The second bottle was noticeably of lesser quality, with dominant herbal notes. Rating changed from 3.25 to 2.75.

Pleasant, light nose with lemongrass, grass, and faint honey; not very flavorful, primarily biscuits, malt, and a little caramel; moderate spice and a somewhat thin texture; concludes with some baking spice and shortbread; overall, a very standard Speyside, neither bad nor particularly remarkable.

It matches the descriptions. Mild vanilla, light oak, subtly floral with hints of caramel. The finish is short to medium in length and quite easy to drink. Pleasant enough to enjoy, but not groundbreaking. Definitely superior to Spey River.

Peat and oak smoke, ash smoke, tobacco, scorched pear and burnt honey, nearly peanut butter, almond, salted chocolate grapes, hints of corn reminiscent of bourbon but complements other flavors, lemon sherbet, vanilla aftertaste, a touch of celery.