Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
40% ABV / RRP: £32.00

Glen Moray has long occupied a unique place on the whisky landscape, producing single malts that deliver exceptional levels of character and consistency, far beyond what their modest price tags might suggest.

At a time when more and more distilleries continue to lean heavily into premiumisation, with prices to match, Glen Moray has remained firmly committed to craftsmanship, innovation and honest value. Its core range, Explorer collection, and aged Heritage releases showcase the approachable elegance of Speyside whisky without sacrificing depth or complexity, making the distillery a firm favourite among both newcomers and seasoned whisky enthusiasts alike.

Alongside its core expressions and an ever-evolving selection of distillery exclusives, again, phenomenally well priced, Glen Moray has also built a reputation for exploring an impressive variety of experimental cask finishes, embracing everything from fortified wine barrels to more unconventional wood types like Tequila.

Rather than feeling gimmicky, these experimental releases reveal a distillery eager to push flavour boundaries while still championing the soft, fruity spirit that lies at the heart of its signature style, as demonstrated in its most recent and third release in the Xperience Collection: Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit, which, after initially being matured in its signature ex-Bourbon casks, was finished in French oak casks previously used to mature Calvados.

Nose: A bright and exuberant opening, led by crisp green apples and softer red orchard fruit, quickly joined by poached pears and a spoonful of gooseberry jam. Chantilly cream, buttery Danish pastries and pineapple cubes lend a playful sweetness. Lemon zest keeps things lively, while honey, mixed spice and a delicate touch of rose water add depth and elegance beneath the fruit-forward exterior.

Palate: Richly fruited from the outset, with stewed apples dusted in cinnamon, clove infused poached pears and ripe Opal plums. Calvados-soaked sultanas develop mid-palate, along with thick vanilla custard and M&S lemon curd iced buns. Salted caramel and barley sugar provide added sweetness without overpowering, while a gentle thread of oak spice keeps everything balanced and engaging.

Finish: A long, fruity and softly warming finish, with lingering orchard fruits, sweet pastry notes and a gentle fade of cinnamon-led spice.

Summary: Glen Moray’s Forbidden Fruit is yet another example of the distillery’s deliberate and thoughtful approach to cask finishing, with the Calvados casks chosen for purpose rather than for novelty. Brimming with both an abundance of bounty and balance, this is another shining example and a testament to the distillery’s spirit and its continued dedication to cask management, innovation and its all-round ethos of producing whisky without compromise. It also most definitely falls into the category of being yet another big bang for buck belter!