This whisky is the first from the Speyside distillery of Glen Moray to feature part-maturation in ex-Calvados apple brandy casks. Forbidden Fruit, referring to the one indulgence that Adam and Eve could not resist in the Garden of Eden, is the third whisky in the distillery’s Xperience Collection. This range explores unorthodox cask types for maturation. It joins Twisted Vine (ex-Cognac finish) and Phoenix Rising (heavily charred virgin oak).
The Glen Moray distillery is located on the outskirts of the city of Elgin and began life as the West Brewery in 1828. The buildings were converted to become a whisky distillery in 1897. It is owned by La Martiniquaise, who took control in 2008. They have overseen a massive expansion programme. This is both in terms of increased annual production capacity to 8.4 million litres and a major revamp of the single malt range. This has resulted in a remarkable upturn in fortunes and significant growth for the brand over the last 10-15 years.
Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit is initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being transferred to ex-Calvados casks sourced from Normandy, northern France. It is bottled at 40% ABV and will be initially available in selected retailers and supermarkets in the UK. A wider distribution is planned for later in 2026. The packaging features a bold red apple against Glen Moray’s dark blue livery, plus a gold snake. A bottle will cost £35/ US$45.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep coppery gold and the nose is packed with fresh, juicy red apple and brown sugar aromas. These evolve with time to become more reminiscent of tarte tatin and fairground toffee apple. There is also plenty of caramel and golden syrup, plus some warming baking spice – think of cinnamon and nutmeg especially. Underneath is a hint of flaky, buttery pastry and a suggestion of clove oil.
On the palate this whisky is immediately sugary and fruity. The crumbly brown sugar and golden syrup from the nose combines superbly with an abundance of baked apple. There is also a hint of boiled peardrop sweets to dial up the orchard fruit vibe even more. The richness is accentuated with the evolution of a distinct caramel note. A hint of something yeasty adds to the syrupy and creamy mouth feel.
The apple note endures throughout and when combined with other characteristics again reminds of tarte tatin. Or maybe great quality apple patisserie – baked apple, flaky pastry and some vanilla crème anglais. With time, warm baking spices appear. Cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are joined by vanilla pod and a hint of fresh gingerbread. The combination is now more reminiscent of warm mulled cider.
The finish is of decent length and maintains the sweet and fruity feel. The intense apple and caramel notes slowly fade to reveal the warming spices and a hint of malty cereal. The apple comes tarter towards the end, similar to red apple skin, and this gives the whisky extra grip in the mouth. A hint of floral orchard blossom comes through right at the end.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a delicious, rounded and well priced whisky. It feels like you get plenty in your glass as the richness imparted by the ex-Calvados apple brandy casks sweeps you away. There is a definitive apple patisserie vibe and this holds throughout. Think well made tart tatin especially. The cask finish accentuates the classic apple-like notes found in many Speyside whiskies. Glen Moray has long been experimenting with unorthodox cask types and this is the latest success in a long line of limited edition and small batch releases.
