Glenmorangie 19 Year Finest Reserve

This sample came from a special single cask, a 19-year offering for Dubai Airport, generously shared by a friend. The aroma is gentle and light, beginning with creme puff pastries, sautéed mangos, and subtle tea, then light florals, honeycomb, and dark chocolate, followed by caramelized peaches, grilled pineapple, and bananas. This transitions to mild baking spices and polished oak with minimal alcohol sting. The taste has a thin to medium texture, starting with creamy tropical fruits before a mild spice that swiftly fades to dark chocolate-covered almonds and slightly bitter tea, then caramelized peaches, grilled pineapple, and bananas, transitioning to mild baking spices and polished oak with minimal alcohol sting. The finish is medium in duration, beginning with creamy tropical fruits alongside mild florals, then fading to mild baking spices and polished oak. Overall, this is a very pleasing dram. The aroma is gentle and light with a mix of creamy tropical fruits, light honey, and florals that carry through to the taste, but the flavors are a bit thinner and slightly muted, likely due to the low 43% ABV. It could have benefited from a higher proof. The finish has sweet notes upfront with creamy tropicals and mild florals that recede to the background of mild earthy notes and barrel spices. Much appreciation to my friend for the sample; I had never experienced a single cask Glenmorangie before and just wish it had been bottled above 46% to intensify those wonderful flavors and make it truly incredible. It remains a delight to drink and one I'd happily consume anytime, especially during the summer months when cask strength bottlings can be overwhelming.

Note: My bottle was a Dubai market exclusive single cask 19yr old, but I was too lazy to create a new SKU. Matured in ex-bourbon, 43% ABV. Golden straw color. Nose is amazing…honey, waxy, nutmeg. Taste is refined. You can discern the quality of the cask. Warm honey, vanilla, a little floral. I'm usually not a fan of Glenmorangie, but there are some exceptions I truly appreciate (the last one was the Signet first batch). This falls into that category. The only aspect I didn't care for was a subtle heat of cinnamon at the end, but I'm being particular. Overall, a fantastic cask selection. And why this was for the Dubai market…who knows. I sampled a dram while pouring this out for our tasting. This will be included.

A sample freely given by a friend, tasted alongside the 18-year expression. The 18-year's color is just a touch darker, but both are quite pale. The aroma of each is almost identical. If forced to choose, the 18 has a slightly brighter fruit note. Both have significant vanilla, coconut, pineapple, and pear. The taste on both is rather weak and subtle. The 19 has a bit more vanilla and spice at the end, while the 18 finishes with a touch of dried fruit. Both seem to have lessened the slightly sour characteristic I detect in younger Glenmorangies. I would prefer both at a higher proof, but they are both well-made and pleasant whiskies.

NOSE Malt sweetness, Honey Nut Cheerios, dried orchard fruit, vanilla cake, citrus zest, oak, and some hints of toffee and a light herbal touch with some baked goods… waffles? Fruity, pastry sweet, and a tad earthy with a lingering note that evokes malty Belgian waffles. No syrup. PALATE Malt sweetness, cereal grain sweetness, Honey Nut Cheerios, citrus zest, roasted notes, oak, honey, and dried orchard fruit with marzipan-like and herbal hints, and that Belgian waffle suggestion again. It’s not a strong waffle flavor, but this persistent "edge note" of Belgian waffles keeps appearing. FINISH Medium-long -> Dried orchard fruit, oak, HNC, and… waffles. With a touch of cinnamon.

This is a travel exclusive I wasn't aware of until tonight, when Glenmorangie was serving it at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Private Edition series. The 19-year-old was presented as a substitute for the 2013 Private Edition, the 19-year-old Elanta. It's a classic malty, creamy Highland whisky, well-balanced, robust, and with a long flavor. Nothing extraordinary, just a very good Scotch that's worth acquiring if you happen to find a bottle.

The aroma is greeted with vanilla, caramel, honey, floral notes, and hints of cinnamon. The taste begins with sweetness, followed by honey, caramel, strong vanilla, and a touch of spice at the conclusion. It has a very rich texture, with a long and smooth finish. I wholeheartedly endorse it; it's a genuine triumph for its price point.