Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter

While I've sampled numerous Glenmorangies over time, I haven't encountered many Marsala wine cask-finished Scotches. The only other whiskey I've tried with this finish was the Knappogue Castle 12 Marsala finish, and it was initially fantastic. I'm hopeful this first limited edition Glenmorangie will match that standard. Nose: Gala apple/apple cider, raisin, date, fig, cranberry, pear, apricot, and lime and orange citrus. Honeydew. Blackberry and raspberry. Floral notes. Vanilla, caramel, toffee, honey, butterscotch, and custard. Toasted almond, cashew, and macadamia nut. Black licorice. Rye spice, black pepper, and oak. Palate: Apple, pear, apricot, golden raisin, date, fig, cranberry, raspberry, orange citrus. Caramel, vanilla, toffee, and butterscotch. Milk chocolate, cocoa, and fudge. It's reminiscent of Valentine's Day raspberry chocolate. Almond and cashew. Grain and malt. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Raspberry, blackberry, black currant, cranberry, plum, raisin, date, and fig. Apple, pear, apricot. Vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, toffee. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak. Moderate length. This expression serves as an excellent example of Marsala-aged whisky. In terms of profile, it captures the best aspects of the older 12-year Quinta Ruban and Lasanta bottlings. It was quite enjoyable, with the nose being the most impressive part. At $100, the price felt a bit high for an NAS malt. The value proposition could be stronger, but it remains a very fine whisky. I've rated it 4 out of 5. I'm eager to explore more Marsala cask-aged malts and other limited release GlenMo bottlings.

Glenmorangie is recognized for its pioneering approach. Under the guidance of Dr. Bill Lumdsen, a true whisky innovator, intriguing drams have reached the market. Last year, we had the pleasure of tasting the unique "a tale of cake," which was excellent; this year, to mark the holidays, the renowned Highland distillery has introduced its latest cask-finished whisky: a tale of winter. With attractive marketing, the bottle and packaging feature a "grandma's hand-knitted Christmas sweater" design, evoking memories of winter holidays. This whisky is 13 years old, finished in Marsala wine casks, a fortified wine originating from Italy. It's bottled at 46% ABV and has a tawny color. The aroma is exceptional. Notes of cinnamon, chocolate pastry, Christmas cake, candied fruits, jelly beans, red fruits, and hazelnut are present. After an initial sip, flavors of toffee, crème brûlée, and jello emerged. There's also a pleasant coffee with milk undertone. The palate truly felt like Christmas to me, with notes of cappuccino, hot chocolate, red fruits, and Glenmorangie's signature orange. Cherry syrup is also noticeable. This aspect receives a perfect score. The aftertaste is pleasant but slightly brief. It includes hay, jelly beans, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and subtle hints of salt. Overall, I believe this creation surpasses last year's "A tale of cake." It's a beautiful, highly complex, and extremely enjoyable dram, strongly recommended. My rating is 94 out of 100.

High expectations often accompany a movie sequel, yet they typically disappoint. This scotch follows the same pattern, unfortunately yielding similar results. While not terrible, 'A Tale of Winter' lacks the qualities that made 'A Tale of Cake' so remarkable. It's excessively bitter and spicy, with an overly sharp intensity for its 46% ABV. The palate resembles a lower-end Macallan, complete with its famously inflated price. If you have the opportunity to sample it, I recommend doing so, but be forewarned: this is the Ghostbusters 2, the Batman & Robin, the Dumb and Dumberer of scotch sequels.

NOSE Golden dried fruit, spiced apple cider, malt, sticky raisin sweetness, graham cracker, honey, and hints of cocoa, baking spice, old-fashioned candy. Warm, spicy, and fruity sweet, with some darker elements providing balance. PALATE Golden dried fruit, spiced apple cider, sticky raisin sweetness, copper candy, malty sweetness, and some cocoa and baking spice. It's like spiced fruity candy in oil form – if you can picture that, you understand the palate. FINISH Medium to long, with notes of mulled cider, dried dark fruit, raisin sweetness, and touches of toast.

This isn't a genuine attempt; they clearly had a successful previous release and are trying to replicate it. It's decent, nothing more. I'd expect it to cost around $50, but paying $99 feels like I could have bought two other bottles and been happier. It feels incomplete, like the second half is missing. It starts well but fades quickly, and the experience is over before you know it. Don't be swayed by the attractive bottle; it's a letdown for those who know their scotch.

This whiskey is a real pleasure! I'd definitely purchase another bottle if it's available, which is high praise from me. I appreciate that it has an age statement, unlike many similar releases, and it's bottled at 46% not just 49 for flavor. Its profile suits me perfectly: chocolate, orchard fruits, and a touch of Christmas spice – delicious!!