For a piece of peated perfection we have first dibs on the eagerly awaited Glen Moray Peated Rioja Cask Finish that was a HUGE hit at the recent (and ongoing) Whisky Show. There are a LOT of people eagerly awaiting this release after tasting it at the Whisky Shows – and the Club are the very first to get access to this superb whisky.

Take Glen Moray’s approachable, orchard‑fruit‑driven spirit and thread it through a gentle ribbon of peat before laying it down in vibrant Rioja wine casks. The result is a single malt whisky that feels both familiar and delightfully unexpected – smoky, fruity, wine‑kissed, and wonderfully drinkable – The Glen Moray Peated Rioja Cask Finish Cask Strength!

Presented at a hearty cask strength of 58.8% this is a huge Speysider in any language. Glen Moray’s Peated Rioja Cask Finish is one of those gloriously left‑field experiments that reminds you why Speyside shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s a perfect talking point for SMWC members who love a twist on tradition and a finish with real personality.

The backbone of this release is Glen Moray’s lightly peated spirit, a style the distillery has been refining for years. Rather than the medicinal punch of Islay peat, this is a softer, sweeter smoke – more heather‑tinged peat than hospital bandages. It drifts through the whisky like a campfire in the distance, adding warmth and structure without overwhelming the distillery’s signature pear, apple, and vanilla notes. That balance is what makes the Rioja finish shine rather than clash.

The finishing casks themselves come from Rioja, Spain’s most famous red‑wine region, known for Tempranillo‑led wines aged in American and French oak. These casks bring a wash of red‑berry sweetness, subtle tannin, and a touch of spice. Think raspberry compote, cherry skins, and a whisper of toasted oak. The interplay between wine‑soaked wood and gentle peat creates a layered, almost dessert‑like profile – smoky fruit crumble with a drizzle of red wine reduction.

On the palate, the whisky lands with Glen Moray’s trademark easy charm, but the finish adds depth and drama. Expect soft smoke wrapped around berries, honey, toasted malt, and a little wine‑driven grip. It’s the kind of whisky that evolves with each sip, shifting between peaty warmth and wine‑cask richness. For SMWC members, it’s a great example of how finishing casks can elevate a whisky without overshadowing its core character.

Interestingly, Glen Moray was one of the first to market its single malt whisky as a stand-alone product. At the time, the majority of malt whisky produced was used in blended scotch and precious little was sold as ‘single malt whisky’. Ironically considering that, Glen Moray is also featured in the production of popular blends such as Ballantine’s and Label 5.

The distillery – located in Elgin – is well known for its experimentation with different types of casks, from sherry and port to chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. This variety allows for a wide range of flavour profiles, giving drinkers unique options.

Glen Moray is a classic Speyside distillery known for producing smooth, approachable single malts that are perfect for both newcomers and seasoned whisky drinkers alike. The distillery itself has been in operation since 1897. The Glen Moray team is known for its attention to detail, and their consistency in producing quality single malts over the years has earned them a loyal following.

Glen Moray’s Warehouse 1 Series is a limited edition range showcasing the distillery’s most experimental, unusual, and flavour driven cask maturations – the “hidden gems” maturing behind the doors of their famous Warehouse 1.

Nose: A bright burst of red berries and raspberry jam rolls out first, quickly joined by Glen Moray’s signature pear drop sweetness. Then the peat drifts in – soft, sweet, and campfire gentle, never heavy. Hints of cherry skins, vanilla fudge, and a touch of wine soaked oak give the nose a layered, almost dessert like richness.

Palate: Silky and surprisingly bold. Medium bodied, gently oily, with a soft chewiness from the wine cask. The Rioja cask brings red fruit warmth, plum compote, and a little tannin grip, while the peat wraps everything in a mellow smoky glow. Underneath sits Glen Moray’s orchard fruit DNA – apple, pear, and honeyed malt.

Finish: Long, warming, and beautifully balanced. Smouldering embers, dark berries, toasted oak, and a final flicker of spiced red wine. The peat fades slowly, leaving a sweet smoky echo that invites another sip. And another…

At almost 60% abv this should be a beast – yet it’s really a gentle giant! No alcohol burn, no overbearing pepper on the palate, no real downside at all!  Just big fruity flavour with a tempering crispness that prevent the palate becoming ‘over sweetened’. A surprising smokey note wafts almost unnoticed in the background – but pops during the finish. This is truly a contemplative whisky if ever there was ne. Be prepared to sit sipping and thinking for a while with this one!

Commenting on the new release, Glen Moray Brand Ambassador Iain Allan said:

“The whiskies of our Warehouse 1 Collection are among some of our most intriguing single malts. And these two limited editions aged in Rioja red wine casks are sure to appeal to inquisitive whisky enthusiasts. Deep and fruity, with notes of cherries, plums and leather, Glen Moray Rioja Matured is a dram as rich as it is rare, whilst our Peated Rioja Finish offers a delicious smoky take on our Speyside whisky. We are confident that both will appeal to the whisky lovers worldwide.”

This eight-year-old single malt joins the Warehouse 1 collection from Glen Moray. Distilled in March 2015, the whisky spent its full maturation in a host of Rioja red wine casks resulting in a decadent sipper, laden with vinous fruits and tannic oak character.

Nose: Toasted nuts, stewed dark plums and cherries, a touch of tobacco, and Fig Rolls.

Palate: Deep, dark notes of cherries, berries, and softly spiced fruit loaf, with leathery oak resting beneath.

Finish: Tannic notes of old leather, with a touch of vine leaf, peppercorn, and hazelnuts