Glen Moray 28 years Old Antique Lions of Spirits The Birds 45.1% 1988

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (86)

Colour: gold. Nose: and yet another fruit salad, this time rather with guavas and bananas upfront, then oranges and light honey, then touches of softer olive oil, Provence-style. I’m also finding notes of Rhône whites, especially roussane and marsanne (grape varieties), as well as quite some orange blossom. Mouth: a delicacy, really soft, showcasing the complexity that only proper aging can bring to whisky. In this very case, that would translate into various kinds of bananas, notes of mangos, and many herbal teas, from rosehip to honeysuckle. Perhaps hints of manuka honey as well, heather honey (callunetum honey – just found that on the web), and a teaspoon of pollen. Finish: medium, fruity, and rather banana-y. We’re not talking ‘ship bananas’ (bananas that only age while on the ships). Comments: perhaps a little less pure brightness than in the D. Laing, but it’s still one of the best recent Glen Morays in my book

Whisky Notes (84)

Nose: more punch than you’d expect from the strength. Fairly neutral aromas, say yellow apples and pears, malty note and a hint of aromatic ginger. Hints of greengages. A subtle oily note too. All highly integrated, nothing stands out too much. Mouth: similar comments. Apples, melon, with notes of hay and spices. Lemon zest. Lots of barley notes and grassy touches. Green tea. A little tobacco. Finish: medium long, malty with a bit more citrus now. Some grassy oak.