A curious case of non-identical twins, Glenlossie shares the same site, warehousing, water source and even staff as its sister distillery, Mannochmore, on the banks of the river Lossie near Elgin on Speyside. Blending giant, Diageo, owns both and each distillery contributes different spirit profiles to contribute to the company’s wider blending program. Perhaps ‘twins’ is inaccurate, as Glenlossie is the original distillery built in 1876; Mannochmore was later added, in 1971.

Glenlossie is responsible for a style of single malt that is almost unique amongst distilleries – best known for its subtle oily character, which results from bulbous stills that incorporate purifiers, a scarcely adopted technique in the Scotch whisky industry. This profile can become almost cream-like during maturation, whilst retaining bursts of grassiness and intense candied fruit.

Glenlossie’s significant difference in style to adjacent Mannochmore (fruity rather than oily) goes to show just how influential distillation parameters are in creating flavor within a spirit, given that all else is the same.

It’s never right to choose between siblings, but in this case we have to: Glenlossie is the hands-down favorite at Alexander Murray & Co.