Glen Moray distillery is a Speyside distillery producing single malt scotch whisky. Situated on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin, Moray the distillery started production in September 1897. It was sold in 2008 by the Glenmorangie Company Ltd. to La Martiniquaise.

Glen Moray distillery
Region: Speyside
LocationElgin, Moray, Scotland
Coordinates57°38′40″N 03°20′28″W / 57.64444°N 3.34111°W / 57.64444; -3.34111
OwnerLa Martiniquaise
Founded1897; 127 years ago (1897)
StatusOperational
Water sourceRiver Lossie
No. of stills3 wash stills
6 spirit stills
Capacity3.3 million litres per annum
Websitewww.glenmoray.com
Glen Moray
TypeSingle malt
Age(s)10, 12, 15, 18 and 21 years
Cask type(s)American oak
ABV40–56.6%
Map
Glen Moray is located in Moray
Glen Moray
Glen Moray

History

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Glen Moray started life as West Brewery in Elgin run by Robert Thorne & Sons, and was converted to a distillery with 2 stills in 1897. Following a fire and extensive rebuilding program at their Aberlour Distillery, the company focused on production of Aberlour whisky, allowing the Glen Moray distillery to run down. It was closed in 1910.[1]

The distillery was purchased by the owners of the Glenmorangie Distillery, the MacDonald and Muir families at some time during the 1920s. The distillery received 2 additional stills in 1958 and at present has an annual capacity of around 2,000,000 litres.[2]

In 2004, MacDonald and Muir families sold Glen Moray distillery and Glenmorangie distillery to LVMH.[3]

In 2008, LVMH sold Glen Moray distillery to La Martiniquaise.[4]

Production

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La Martiniquaise uses part of its production in their blended Whisky Cutty Sark and Label 5, along with its Starlaw distillery in West Lothian. The distillery was expanded in 2012 to produce 3,300,000 litres annually from 3 wash stills and 3 spirit stills. 2016 has seen further expansion and development of the site with a growth in production to around 5,500,000 litres annually predicted.[5]

Visitor centre

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The distillery has a visitor centre which offers tours and tastings year-round. Details can be found on the company website here: Distillery Tours

 
The Malt Whisky Trail Map

Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail is a tourism initiative featuring seven working Speyside distilleries including Glen Moray, a historic distillery (Dallas Dhu, now a museum) and the Speyside Cooperage.[6]

Awards and accolades

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Glen Moray has won many awards over the years through competitions such as the IWSC, ISC, WWA and others.[7]

Glen Moray 1994 Sherry Cask Finish is the Best Scotch Speyside Single Cask Single Malt Category Winner of 21 & over in the World Whiskies Awards 2018.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Kindersley, Dorling (2008). Whisky. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  2. ^ "Sip Scotch at Glen Moray Distillery". tripbucket.com. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  3. ^ Passmore, Nick. "How LVMH Turned Glenmorangie From A Niche Whisky Into A Global Brand". Forbes. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Glen Moray | Scotch Whisky". scotchwhisky.com. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  5. ^ "distillery By Brand – Cask & Barrel". Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Exploring Scotland's historic whisky trail".
  7. ^ a b "World Whiskies Awards 2018 - Winners". www.worldwhiskiesawards.com. Retrieved 5 October 2018.

Further reading

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  • Bernhardt, Ralf; Würsching, Hans Georg (2006). The Glen Moray Single Malt Whisky Collector's Guide. Einhausen, Germany: Cluaran. ISBN 978-3980934473.
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