Dram Mor Invergordon 27yo Cask #300709 & Dram Mor Glen Moray 13yo Cask #800597

Dram Mor Invergordon 27yo Cask #300709

Region: Highlands

ABV: 52.2%

Price: £85.00

This release was distilled in 1997 and matured in a refill bourbon barrel until 2024, with a total of 218 bottles released.

Nose

The nose opens with the classic old grain sweetness, vanilla sponge cake, a little caster sugar, freshly made fudge, cream cheese, light caramel notes, but we're also getting some of that spirituous character in the background. There's also some green apple skin, lime leaves, lime zest.. it's actually fairly citrusy for a grain. It's super easy to nose, with only a little bit of alcohol jumping out at us.

Palate

The palate is much richer and deeper than we expected, those sweeter vanilla notes are there but it quickly transforms into roasted coffee beans, chocolate digestives, toffee hobnobs, very biscuity, buttercream frosting, and warm oak spice on the finish. The mouthfeel is reasonably viscous, definite texture there, and the finish lingers for a fair while, but goes from sweet to bitter as it develops.. a little bit of burnt sponge cake in places. Similarly to the nose, the alcohol maintains a nice balance whilst still being present.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has lighter vanilla aromas, white sugar, apple slices, not too different at all. It does feel a little more.. simple after the water, but it's still very pleasant.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has a little more rubbing alcohol up front, but then moves into the sweet vanilla fondant and buttercream on vanilla cupcakes. The mouthfeel and finish are predominantly the same, but overall the palate is lighter and fresher, less rich than pre-dilution.

Conclusion

A lovely old grain. The cask influence is definitely present, and has melded with the spirit really well. The palate is much richer than the nose would allude to. There's a tad too much bitterness right at the end of the finish for us, but it's a great quality dram overall.

Score: 7.5/10

Value

We can't complain about getting old grain whisky for less than £100.

Dram Mor Glen Moray 13yo Cask #800597

Region: Speyside

ABV: 56.0%

Price: £95.00

This release was distilled in 2010 and spent 13 years maturing, including a finish in a first-fill Tokaji wine cask. A total of 222 bottles were produced.

Nose

The nose opens with soft fruit, red fruits mostly, raspberries, strawberries, alongside a little white peach too. The nose is really quite sweet, those raspberries turning into raspberry ripple ice cream as we sit with it. We're also finding sherbet and a mixture of haribo sweets. The alcohol is really well integrated here, we barely notice it regardless of how deep we get into the dram.

Palate

The palate opens with an interesting juxtaposition of sherbety, candied sweetness on the top notes, and malty, biscuity, slightly nutty base notes, really interesting. We're getting fizzy apple hard candies, candied almonds, limeade, malt loaf, chocolate chip cookies... There's a clear theme here of confectionery and sugary treats. The mouthfeel is good, it's syrupy, and the finish lasts for a good length, mostly nutty oak with a hint of dry cocoa powder.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose swaps to more orchard fruits, apples and pears, rather than the red fruits from before. It's still super sweet, it's like stepping into a confectionery shop. There's a little apple brandy right in the background now.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has more of a harmonious beginning, less top notes of candy but more sweetened nuts, cookies and other baked goods. We're getting some French pastries and a drizzle of vanilla, but there's still some fruity notes sticking around on the latter palate.

Conclusion

If we were told this was fruit juice on the nose, we'd believe you. The palate has a bit more of a kick but this is a dessert dram if we've ever had one. Lots and lots of sweetness, a little acidity, really quaffable whisky. Some may find it less.. whisky-like than other spirit-driven drams, but for us it's a finish done really well. You could definitely convery non-whisky drinkers to the water of life with this dram.

Score: 8/10

Value

Feels a touch pricey, but we assume the cask finish has added to the cost.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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