| |
Glenmorangie
 scrapes in
 decent
 good
 excellent
 sublime
Glenmorangie, Artisan Cask (Scotland) 
Fresh, light nose, with hints of the sawmill. Peaches and pears on the palate, along with a slightly youthful exuberance. Deeper oaky and malty notes develop in the finish. Glenmorangie Artisan Cask is matured in first fill American oak casks, and the slow-grown, air-seasoned timber is said to give the whisky a profundity beyond its (unspecified) years. 46.0% ABV, 50cl, £30, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Glenmorangie, Astar (Scotland)
This bottling from Glenmorangie is effectively a new incarnation of the previous ‘Artisan Cask’ expression which received very favourable reviews and won many converts. Bottled at traditional 100 proof strength (57.1%ABV), Astar has been aged entirely in Glenmorangie’s bespoke ‘designer casks,’ sourced from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri and used to mature Tennessee whiskey for four years prior to being filled with Glenmorangie new make spirit.
Astar is Gaelic for ‘journey,’ and the name was chosen to reflect the journey made by the timber used in its maturation from the Ozarks to Glenmorangie distillery at Tain in Ross-shire.
Fresh and fruity on the nose, lively and perfumed, with developing vanilla and cream caramel notes. Silky smooth in the mouth, with initially quite high floral and wood polish notes that become richer and spicier, with succulent peaches, as the palate progresses. The finish is luxuriously long and creamy.
57.1% ABV, 70cl, £50.95, specialist whisky merchants.  |  |
Glenmorangie, Lasanta (Scotland)
Following an initial maturation period of at least ten years in ex-Bourbon casks, this whisky was extra matured for an additional period in casks that previously held Sherry. Lasanta means ‘warmth’ and ‘passion’ in Gaelic, and this expression replaces the old Sherry Finish, being ‘extra matured’ in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks. Sweet and syrupy on the nose with a hint of cinnamon and ginger. Medium-bodied, malty and spicy in the mouth, with vanilla fudge, walnuts and raisins. The finish dries slowly, with lingering, gingery oak and a touch of cocoa. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £29.99, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Glenmorangie, Nectar D’Òr (Scotland)
Following an initial maturation period of at least ten years in ex-Bourbon casks, this whisky was extra matured for an additional period in casks that previously held Sauternes wine. Bottled at 46.0% ABV, it is not chill-filtered, in order to enhance its taste and mouth feel. According to the distillers, the name of this expression derives from the fact that Nectar was the drink of the gods and ‘Or’ is both Gaelic and French for gold. Finished in French Sauternes wine barriques, this was previously marketed as Sauternes Finish, but in its new incarnation it has lost its 15-year-old age statement. Acetones, dessert wine, honey, soft fruits and spices on the nose. Water releases more lemony, citric notes. Full bodied and quite sweet on the fruity palate, with just a hint of background peat. The finish is long and spicy, with more citric notes. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £37.99, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Glenmorangie, Original 10-Year-Old (Scotland)
Glenmorangie has tweaked its entry level ten-year-old single malt – the best-selling malt in Scotland. According to the distillers, Original “…has been refined, with the focus on exceptional whisky quality assured by including a significant proportion of Glenmorangie which has been matured in specially made, air-dried/slow growth oak casks. This accentuates the softness and sweetness of the complex flavours of the company’s most famous whisky.”
The nose offers fewer acetone notes than its predecessor, with fresh fruits, butterscotch and toffee. Silky smooth in the mouth, slightly less spice and with more toffee than before, Original is nutty, with well-mannered spices coming through more in the medium length finish. The finish has less caramel character than previously, and a final hint of ginger.
40.0% ABV, 70cl, £24.99, widely available. |  |
Glenmorangie, Quinta Ruban (Scotland)
Following an initial maturation period of at least ten years in ex-Bourbon casks, this whisky was extra matured for an additional period in casks that previously held Port. Ruban is the Galic for ‘ruby,’ and Quinta Ruban is finished in Port pipes and takes the place of the former Port Wood Finish version. The nose is light and delicate, with hints of pears, while the palate is big and rich, rounded and warming, slightly peppery, with barley sugar and milk chocolate notes. Sweet and dry flavours balance well here, and the finish is long, warming and elegant, with a suggestion of drying oak. 46.0% ABV, 70cl, £31.99, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
Glenmorangie, Signet (Scotland)
One of the principal factors that marks Signet out as different from most whiskies is its use of some 20 per cent of ‘chocolate’ malt, with an annual batch of spirit having been distilled for the past decade to this recipe. Signet contains a mix of this ‘chocolate malt’ whisky, matured for 10 years in a combination of former Bourbon and new oak casks and then blended with other Glenmorangie whiskies, some up to 35 years old.
These whiskies come from a variety of cask types, including Sherry and wine, helping to give the finished product some of the complexity to which Lumsden alludes. So does the whisky live up to his claims?
From the first nosing it is impossible to deny the existence of complexity, with aromas of rich fruit, honey, marmalade, maple, Sherry, sweet oak and spice. The body is silky-smooth and the palate offers lots of fruit and lively spice, with dark chocolate, contrasting vanilla and a hint of leather. The finish is spicy and medium in length. ‘Dr Bill’ and his team have every reason to be proud of their latest, innovative creation!
46.0% ABV, 70cl, £130.00, specialist whisky merchants. |  |
|
|
|
|
