Glen Moray has announced two maple-syrup-finished bottlings, released to coincide with the first day of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. 

Maple syrup casks are not an approved maturation cask type for Scotch whisky, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) — Glen Moray has therefore released the bottling as a 'spirit drink'. The distillery has previously clashed with the SWA over its unusual cask choices; in 2018 Glen Moray released a whisky aged in casks that had previously held cider. Cider casks are not approved for whisky maturation by the SWA, and the expression was subsequently discontinued.

For the maple syrup cask bottlings, Glen Moray has released both peated and unpeated variations. Both were matured in American oak casks before a finish in casks which had once held Canadian maple syrup.

Iain Allan, global brand ambassador at Glen Moray, said: “We’re always exploring new cask finishes to push the boundaries of flavour. These limited-edition maple syrup casks are a bold example — the maple influence is immediate and unmistakable: rich, syrupy sweetness that adds depth and indulgence, while still allowing the Glen Moray character to shine through.

“The unpeated spirit brings out those classic dessert-like notes — fudge, toasted nuts, soft spice — while the peated version is a different experience altogether. The smoke and syrup play off each other nicely, creating a bold and layered dram that’s both sweet and savoury. We love surprising people at Spirit of Speyside — these playful, flavour-packed bottlings show our curiosity as distillers and prove that even after 125 years, we’re still finding new ways to bring flavour to life.”

Glen Moray will offer Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival attendees the chance to taste the new releases.

Glen Moray Peated Maple Cask (59.1% ABV) and Unpeated Maple Cask (59% ABV) will be available at its distillery from 30 April, both at RRP £90.