A Great Introduction to Whiskey

While whisky producers have long finished their spirits in ex-sherry and port wood casks, they are increasingly turning to other wine barrels to add layers of fruit and spice. One of the most innovative companies using these techniques today, Glen Moray, produces a line of wine cask-finished whiskies in the historic town of Elgin in Scotland’s Speyside region.

Glen Moray’s new Cabernet Cask Finish is the latest in its “Classic Range,” a line that eschews age statements and Master Distiller Graham Coull has called “a great introduction to whisky.” The Classic Range now encompasses six expressions: Classic Single Malt, Port Cask Finish, Sherry Cask Finish, Chardonnay Cask Finish, Peated Single Malt Whisky, and the newly released Cabernet Cask Finish.

Coull explains, “Glen Moray has a long tradition of maturing in wine casks (for example, red Burgundy), so the Cabernet Sauvignon Finish was a natural progression.” For this new release, he sourced barrels from Bordeaux, France.

The window for using a wine barrel is quite short, and speed is of the essence. “I work closely with the vineyards and transport companies to pick up the casks as soon as they are freshly emptied,” Coull says. “Once the casks arrive in Scotland, I fill them immediately to capture all the residual wine character.” The whisky is first aged in ex-bourbon barrels for generally six (or more) years, and then rests for a minimum of 12 months in the Cabernet barrels.

The resulting rich, fruity whisky has notes of black currant and sweet cherry. “In effect, the spirit is benefiting from the flavor of two first casks (bourbon and wine), and the result is a rich whisky that is full of character,” Coull says. “The wine character (dark fruits) combines beautifully with the vanilla character from the bourbon cask. The result is a multilayered whisky that is well-balanced and full-bodied.”

Bringing together the best of two worlds, this surprisingly affordable new entry is sure to please whisky lovers who also favor bold red wines. And industry recognition has been swift: The Cabernet Cask Finish recently took home a Gold Medal at the New York World Spirits Competition.

By Michael Tulipan