Glen Moray Warehouse 1 2014 Tequila Cask Finish - 70cl

Tequila casks are still a rarity in Scotch, which is what makes this one worth seeking out. Distilled at Glen Moray in 2014, it spent around eight years in ex-bourbon barrels before a finishing spell in casks that once held agave spirit from Mexico. It is part of the distillery's experimental Warehouse 1 collection, bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered and with no added colour. Just 474 bottles were filled.

Glen Moray is a Speyside distillery in Elgin, long known as a quiet workhorse of the region and a distillery unafraid to play with unusual wood. This unpeated release was among its first to use tequila casks, and the agave influence shows through in the fruitier, slightly herbaceous edges rather than anything harsh.

At 55.2% ABV there is real intensity here. The nose leads with vanilla custard, currants and toasted almonds, joined by chocolate-chip banana bread, stewed apple and cinnamon, dried apricot and a grassy, straw-like note. The palate is rich and sweet: demerara-dusted sponge cake, dried figs and dates, a flash of ripe strawberry, then earthier tones of thyme, citrus peel and polished oak. The finish brings toffee apple and a wisp of green tea. Cask strength rewards a little water, which loosens the fruit and calms the heat, so add it slowly and taste as you go.

A limited, characterful dram for anyone who likes their whisky to go somewhere unexpected.

How to Serve

Neat first in a Glencairn to judge the strength, then add water drop by drop. Never with ice, which would mute the finish.

Where to Drink It

Black Rock in Shoreditch, ideal for exploring a cask-strength curio. Soho Whisky Club, whose team love an experimental bottling. The Connaught Bar, if you want to sip something rare in polished surroundings.

Food Pairings

Try it with a plate of aged Gouda and toasted almonds, or some cured chorizo, whose warmth plays nicely off the agave edge.