Glen Moray reveals scorched whisky

Speyside distiller Glen Moray has revealed its latest whisky, a single malt finished in heavily charred oak casks, inspired by a phoenix.

Named Glen Moray Phoenix Rising, the whisky is influenced by the immortal bird that rises from the ashes and burns before regenerating.

The whisky – which was originally aged in Bourbon casks – was finished in new oak scorched by fire to release the wood’s full intensity. Before this release, the distillery had seldom played around with charring new oak.

Global brand ambassador at Glen Moray, Iain Allan, said: “Glen Moray Phoenix Rising is our sweet and spicy tribute to the phoenix. Rather like that mythical bird, our new charred oak casks are scorched by fire. And, just as the phoenix is reborn from its ashes, these casks bring a whole new spectrum of flavour to life.

“With inviting notes of caramel, ginger and milk chocolate, this single malt makes the perfect gift for any whisky fan.”

Alongside those notes, the whisky has a finish that sees ‘a peppery note emerge’ and fade into ‘notes of light oak, nuts and malt’.

Phoenix Rising sits at an ABV of 40% and retails for £30 (US$38) per 700ml bottle.

The whisky’s box features an illustration of a phoenix alongside the distillery’s classic dark blue colours.

It is available at Glen Moray Distillery, as well as in markets such as France, the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea.

In May, the distiller explored another ‘unusual’ cask maturation with its Twisted Vine release, which saw the single malt whisky matured in Cognac casks. The release is one of our 10 best new whiskies priced under £50 (US$63).