Single Cask Nation Glen Moray 2014 10yo Cask #170376 & Single Cask Nation Blacksboat Bridge (Glenfarclas) 2011 13yo Cask #152770

Single Cask Nation Glen Moray 2014 10yo Cask #170376

Region: Speyside

ABV: 56.5%

Price: £64.00

This 10-year-old release, distilled in August 2014, was transferred into a 2nd-fill PX hogshead for six years before being bottled in September 2024. A total of 329 bottles were released.

Nose

The nose is initially very tight, with rancio, sulphur, and raspberry ripple being the most prominent notes. Letting it sit in the glass helps slightly, but not significantly. With time, additional aromas of sawdust, gingerbread, milk chocolate, and candy floss begin to emerge. It doesn’t nose its ABV, but we’re struggling to get past that sulphur note.

Palate

The palate is very spicy and hot, with some typical sherry notes like raisins, treacle, and dark chocolate. However, behind them there’s a dryness that we don’t particularly enjoy. The mouthfeel is lacking, and there’s a strong aniseed note that emerges with time that dominates the palate. We’re find ourselves wishing that the finish was a bit shorter.

Nose (with water)

With water, the nose gains notes of thyme and Bisto gravy, with a touch of treacle too. The sherry influence has become more pronounced. With patience, hints of gingerbread and Irn-Bru emerge.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate reveals slightly more sherry fruit notes and is less dry. However, the finish fades quickly, and the mouthfeel is now even more disappointing.

Conclusion

We wouldn’t have been able to guess this was Glen Moray, it’s all sherry influence and not a particular good sherry cask at that. If you do have a dram of this we’d recommend a few drops of water, it won’t save this, but it does help a little.

Score: 5.5/10

Value

Not a bad price, unfortunately we can’t say the same for the whisky.

Single Cask Nation Blacksboat Bridge (Glenfarclas) 2011 13yo Cask #152770

Region: Speyside

ABV: 58.4%

Price: £90.25

This 13-year-old release, distilled in June 2011, was transferred into a first-fill oloroso sherry hogshead for five years before being bottled in September 2024. A total of 155 bottles were released.

Nose

On the nose, there are notes of raisins and dry wood, along with hints of Christmas cake, cranberries, and sultanas. A subtle savoury note also comes through, reminiscent of cashew nuts. There’s little ethanol or spice here, making it quite easy to nose. Additional notes include maraschino cherries, ketchup, brown sugar, treacle, and fudge.

Palate

The flavour profile is quite similar to the nose, and by that we mean the palate is very sherry-forward, with notes of caramel syrup, stroopwaffles, and honey. There’s minimal alcohol spice here, just a touch of cracked black pepper. Revisiting we also get notes of cherries and Christmas cake. The mouthfeel is slightly thin, with a hint of ginger spice on the medium length finish.

Nose (with water)

With water, the nose changes slightly notes such as caramel, fudge, and treacle are now more prominent. Saying that, it’s not significantly different from the undiluted version, and by that we mean it’s still a sherry bomb.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate remains more or less unchanged. Like the nose, this continues to be a sherry bomb, though a slight sour note and a bit more spice come through are coming through on the mid palate now.

Conclusion

It’s a good dram for sherry lovers, and while we enjoyed it, a few things let it down slightly like the underwhelming mouthfeel, and the medium length finish. Still we wouldn’t be sad to have a bottle.

Score: 7/10

Value

This does feel a touch expensive, especially given its not actually got Glenfarclas on the label.

• 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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