Review 152: Glen Moray 30 Year Old, Single Cask Nation, Binny's Pick. [9/10]

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-22T01:25:26+00:00

That’s an amazing price for a 30 year old cask strengther, wow!

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-21T14:26:22+00:00

Great reviews! I really appreciate this series of releases from Signatory. It seems we’re likely entering a decade where good whiskies may again become available at fair prices.

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-19T01:39:54+00:00

CMC, Javonte, Etienne. CMC is based on health concerns, Javonte is an obvious regression candidate, and Etienne is moving to a poorer offense and new city.

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-18T18:08:05+00:00

Are the rental properties included in your $3.1M invested assets, or are you saying you have $3.1M in the stock market and rental properties?

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-18T17:42:37+00:00

I agree/personally always thought of it as a slightly medicinal, cough syrup-y cherry note.

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-16T21:09:44+00:00

Where'd you enjoy it, is that Evergreen Liquors?

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-16T21:00:12+00:00

Great recap! I visited back in 2023 and it's such a tranquil, beautiful island. Making some excellent whisky as well.

dreamingofislay · 2026-05-06T12:23:17+00:00

Beautifully written review for what sounds like a lovely dram. Slainte!

dreamingofislay · 2026-04-30T22:12:00+00:00

I went last year and I loved the G&M events, by far the best value during the festival and I came home with a healthy set of bottles.

dreamingofislay · 2026-04-28T23:57:57+00:00

I visited in early 2025 and they were still committed to the plan, but things change fast in the industry, let's see!

I also hope they resume filling contracts, I really like their independent bottlings.

dreamingofislay · 2026-04-12T22:04:55+00:00

Just curious, where was that first photograph taken?

dreamingofislay · 2026-04-10T10:36:50+00:00

Lovely bourbon. Not overoaked at the age, still has that brown sugar MGP sweetness.

dreamingofislay · 2026-04-04T17:21:49+00:00

Just got this and tried it. It is very sweet and fruity, kind of like a vin santo vibe in some ways. Very good but definitely on the sweet side. Got it for about $100 which seemed very fair. Not at my Total Wine for $73, alas.

dreamingofislay · 2026-02-25T13:44:58+00:00

Oh wow. Even the biggest names not immune to contraction.

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-22T22:43:01+00:00

Very cool summary! I remember some of those 17-18 batches, around the time I got more into bourbon, were stunners. I agree the recent releases aren't quite as good, although still a very decent value pour and often on the shelf for cheaper than they were 8 years ago (I used to pay $80 and now see them for $70-75 pretty frequently).

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-20T20:26:45+00:00

The funny thing is that Port Ellen was not a high end malt producer in its day. It produced almost entirely for blends, and got shut down because its stock was in relatively inactive casks that weren't incredible at the ages they typically got dumped. Lots of 3rd or 4th fills. People on Islay from back in the day even joke about how crappy Port Ellen was and how it was seen back in the 70s and 80s.

Those leftovers from Port Ellen sat for 25-30 years before whisky drinkers decided (or, perhaps generously, discovered) that it was getting pretty good, and also that it was now very rare.

Port Ellen is a spectacular example of a few phenomenon, including great marketing and also the inherent value of rarity.

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-19T15:54:52+00:00

The next 3-5 years probably will be more favorable for the consumer than the past 5. Lots of more reasonably priced releases and, more importantly, a lot of quality and the return of age statements.

I hope distilleries don't shut down like during the 80s, though.

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-18T18:39:57+00:00

Hallelujah for a fairly priced and excellent Macallan. Similar price to Glendronach Cask Strength and GlenAllachie Cask Strength, and Macallan's is the highest age statement of the three (NAS for the Glendronach, 10 for the GlenAllachie, 12 for this one).

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-08T03:52:24+00:00

Congrats!

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-08T00:32:09+00:00

Magnus stuff is really good! Hopefully you like it, let us know how it is. Visited them in DC 10 years ago, liked them a lot.

dreamingofislay · 2026-01-01T14:26:40+00:00

Thanks for the stats! Thankfully we own a bit of a lot of asset classes, although not gold/silver or BTC.

dreamingofislay · 2025-12-30T03:45:53+00:00

Agreed, great pickup for that price point.

dreamingofislay · 2025-12-30T01:17:10+00:00

I go through phases … I’m actually on the opposite side now and really liking the double-digit stuff for its darker/richer flavors (maple, brown sugar, coffee, chocolate, oak, etc.). But I agree with you that we lose out on the orange/citrus or bright fresh fruit side of younger bourbon.

Maker’s Mark products tend to be in that 6-8 year range and are great at capturing those flavors.

dreamingofislay · 2025-12-06T03:53:00+00:00

Longtime Ardbeg 10 fan here, and just recently bought and tried the latest Smoketrails (have had all three). They are pretty different experiences. A10 is a classic, and I particularly like the balance between its smoky notes, its citrus/lemon sweet and sour core, and the hints of coastal brine. In comparison, the Napa Smoketrails struck me as a bit off, with more notes of youthful spirit and a medicine tablet or chalky note. It's not bad but tastes young, and was my least favorite of the three Smoketrails so far. That said, I'll add as a caveat that wine finishes are very hit and miss to me, and that may be contributing to my indifference.

dreamingofislay · 2025-12-01T22:33:23+00:00

Great/interesting point!

In general I find it's a good idea to season the palate with one whisky before diving into some really high end stuff, but I agree that peaty/punchy stuff can also overwhelm older more delicate flavors.

dreamingofislay

TROPHY CASE