"All in all a nice example of a easy, but still sophisticated, whisky for the summer months"
(Photo from Whiskybase)
Although, Glenmorangie was one of the ground-braking distilleries in the 90s with their range of whiskies matured or finished in ex-wine casks, these days I would not say their release shake the earth anymore. I ave had some experience with a bottle o the 10-year-old, which I found very easy and ideal for a relaxing afternoon on the terrace in the summer. However, the sweet woodiness became a little annoying after finishing half of the bottle. A step-up is their 18-year-old, which is very reasonably priced, came onto my path during the blind tasting competition. If I had known this was coming, I would have been slightly concerning about more years in their special wood program (see also my review on the 10-year-old), but now I went into the tasting without that prejudice.
Nose
It is light, it is fresh, I would say we could call it very summery. There is a typical sweetness, counterbalanced by a mix of citrus fruits, lemon grass and kiwi. There are also some very light perfume-y scents in the background, maybe lily?. Furthermore watermelon, Turkish sweets, in fact a big box of sweets and fudge. A afternoon high tea spread out on the meadow in the middle of summer.
Taste
Initially sweet and fruity. I find tangerines, lime, plain sugar and soda. Citrus combined with grass, gravel, and stone. I think we have a whole landscape here. Slightly drying with hints of ginger, curcuma, white pepper. The wood influence is reasonably evident. Additional notes of dill, a hint of cucumber, a hint of wax, and ginger ale. A quite long aftertaste with sugared lemon zest.
Overall
The 18-year-old is certainly more sophisticated and fresher compared to the 10-year-old. All in all a nice example of a easy, but still sophisticated, whisky for the summer months.
- Review 2019-041
- Single malt
- Glenmorangie Distillery
- Glenmorangie
- 18-years-old
- Bottled 2018
- Oak & Oloroso sherry casks
- Caramel-coloured
- Chill filtered
- 43
- Undisclosed number of bottles
- ±75-85
- Still available
- Whiskybase #132488
What others say
Big thanks to for sharing the sample!
Scores
• these are my personal views, so do not take them too seriously… nothing beats tasting these for yourself •
- Tangerines
- Kiwi
- White pepper