Introduction

I’ve always had a quiet appreciation for Glen Ord. It doesn’t grab headlines like some other distilleries, but I’ve found their whiskies consistently solid – classic Highland character with a well-executed cask influence. When I saw that Milroy’s of Soho had bottled a 2011 Glen Ord single cask at cask strength, it caught my interest straight away. I wanted to see how this expression balanced the distillery’s fruit-forward spirit with the intensity of a first-fill bourbon cask and a natural presentation at 56.5% ABV. No colour added, no chill-filtration – exactly how I like it.

Nose

On pouring the whisky and giving it a little time in the glass, the nose opened with a firm but not overpowering aroma. At first sniff, I picked up caramelised apple skins, shortbread biscuits, and toasted oak. Behind that there was green pear, a floral edge – slightly herbal, like chamomile – and a faint lactic note, something like vanilla yoghurt. As it aired further, a clean cereal note came through alongside honey and a suggestion of cinnamon bark. It’s not punchy, but it’s composed and gently layered.

Palate

The palate starts more robustly than the nose suggests. A slightly oily texture carries flavours of yellow apple, roasted hazelnuts, and vanilla pods. There's a touch of white pepper and ginger early on, giving a tingle on the tongue before mellowing into warm cereal tones and buttery pastry. The bourbon cask brings depth without masking the spirit – sweet but not overly so. A splash of water highlighted a soft lemon note and opened up more fruit character, as well as rounding out the spice.

Finish

The finish was medium-long with a clear oak structure. It leaned dry rather than sweet, showing nut skin bitterness, dessicated coconut, and faint fennel seed. The fruit fades slowly, replaced by toasted bread crust and gentle spice. I appreciated how the finish never became harsh despite the cask strength; it lingered evenly and left a satisfying closing note.

Price and Value

This bottle came in just under £90, which feels fair for a cask strength, single cask Highland malt bottled a little over a decade old. It’s well made, cleanly matured in a quality wood. In terms of value, I wouldn’t call it a steal, but for those who appreciate a naturally presented whisky with firm Highland character, it holds its own. I’ve spent more on less memorable drams.

Background

Glen Ord has been producing whisky since the 19th century in the northern Highlands, just outside the town of Muir of Ord. While its primary role these days is supplying malt for blended Scotch – especially the Singleton range – their single casks can be worth seeking out when bottled by independents like Milroy’s. This 2011 distillate spent over 11 years in a first-fill bourbon hogshead before being bottled in 2023 without chill-filtration or added colour. You can find more on the distillery at the official Glen Ord page.

Final Notes

Would I buy another bottle? Definitely – it’s a good example of well-made cask strength Highland whisky that doesn’t rely on sherry or peat for character. Is it something I’d recommend to newcomers? Probably not as a first cask strength dram, but for those ready to explore beyond the basics, it’s a nice step forward. This isn’t a showpiece whisky, but I’ve enjoyed it most at the end of the evening when I want something steady and grounded. Compared to other Glen Ord expressions I’ve tried, this feels more intense but also more focused, with the bourbon cask giving a clearer view of the distillery’s DNA.