Glen Moray Distillery, located in Elgin, Speyside, began its journey as a brewery in 1828 before transitioning to whisky distillation in 1897 during the height of a whisky boom. The distillery’s early years were challenging, closing in 1910 before being purchased by Macdonald & Muir in 1923, the same owners behind Glenmorangie. This purchase marked a new era for Glen Moray, which steadily grew in prominence. In 1958, the distillery expanded, doubling its stills to four and introducing modern malting techniques, including the Saladin box, which ran until 1978.
Under Macdonald & Muir’s ownership, Glen Moray became known as a “budget” malt, often priced similarly to blended Scotch whiskies. Although this increased sales, it also hurt the distillery’s image, which had a lingering impact until the French company La Martiniquaise acquired Glen Moray in 2008. La Martiniquaise increased production capacity by 40%, adding new washbacks and additional stills. This modernisation helped reposition Glen Moray, particularly through its innovative use of cask finishes, including wine casks such as Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and fortified wines like Port and Madeira.
Glen Moray is famous for its Warehouse 1 expressions, which reflect the distillery’s commitment to experimentation. Warehouse 1 houses unique casks from all over the world and has released expressions finished in everything from sherry to cider and even rhum agricole casks. These small-batch releases are designed to push the boundaries of traditional whisky-making, adding new layers of flavour and complexity.
Among Glen Moray’s notable figures is Graham Coull, who joined the distillery in 2005. During his tenure, he oversaw significant expansions and helped develop several acclaimed expressions, including the Mastery series, a blend of five vintages dating back to 1978. Coull was instrumental in developing Glen Moray’s modern reputation before leaving for Ireland’s Dingle Distillery in 2019.
Located near the River Lossie, Glen Moray benefits from its unique microclimate, which enhances whisky maturation. The combination of its rich history, focus on innovation, and Speyside heritage make Glen Moray a distinctive player in the world of Scotch whisky. Its approachable, balanced single malts are enjoyed globally, and the distillery continues to evolve with new releases that capture both tradition and experimentation
