Glenmorangie Allta

Details: Glenmorangie's latest "Private" edition revisits an old practice: using wild barley in the whisky's composition. It's an experiment, as casks are often cited as the key flavor agent in whisky, yet barley is equally crucial though rarely discussed. Allta means "wild" in Gaelic. This is an age-statement-free edition, with no added coloring or chill-filtration. It's fully matured in ex-bourbon casks. A robust 51.2% ABV. Nose: Honey and ripe banana. Rarely have I encountered an expression so dominated by banana! Fresh floral notes like a gentle breeze. An orchard. A hint of vanilla on the nose. It feels sharp on the nose. Typical Glenmorangie alcohol presence. Palate: What strikes me is the whisky's lightness. Such elegance! A refined quality in its notes of essential ginger oil and toasted hazelnut butter. Truly unique this balance of richness and lightness. Banana bread and nuts. A touch of citrus, specifically lemon zest. The bitterness of the zest. Banana, butter, nuts, vanilla syrup, caramelized honey, orchard freshness, and lemon zest. Overall: I'm not usually enthusiastic about Glenmorangie's limited editions. In fact, I select specific ones that appeal to me, and most are quickly forgotten. So far, among the limited editions, I've particularly enjoyed Bacalta, Milsean, and the first Astar. These banana and ex-bourbon notes on hazelnut butter remind me of a fruitier version of Astar. There's a parallel here with the second version of Astar, stemming from their aromatic intensity, well-reflected by their 51.2% ABV, but also, there's the raw power of bourbon and the fruitiness of bourbon that remain parallel without ever touching. You have to compare the two to understand. In short, a fine Glenmorangie edition that might appeal more to an advanced enthusiast than a beginner due to its strength and alcohol level. However, it won't satisfy a cask strength aficionado. It's a middle ground. While not the highlight of the evening, Allta is a pleasant tasting introduction, especially if only cask strength whiskies follow. Its freshness perfectly primes the palate. Good depth also on the banana, especially on the nose. A "must-taste" for fans of ex-bourbon, but a "must-have" only for devoted Glenmo fans. 86%

I got this bottle a while after its 2019 release date (it was bottled in 2018). This was the last expression in the Private Selection line before they moved to the “Tales” series. I prefer the packaging and presentation of this line, though my only other experience was with the Spios, which was acceptable. I’m expecting a bit more intensity from this dram. The “Cadboll barley wild yeast” concept sounds intriguing, but I need to taste it to believe it will make an impact. Let’s find out. Nose: Tastes of butterscotch, vanilla, honey, malt, and toffee. Also banana, walnut, caramel, Gala apple, vanilla custard, pecan, coconut, and biscuit or sugar cookie. A pleasant toasty croissant aroma. Almond and walnut notes. Significant oak presence. Palate: Tastes of butterscotch, vanilla, honey, malt, and toffee. Also banana, walnut, green grape, and golden raisin. Sugar cookie and croissant flavors. Clove, nutmeg, and white pepper notes. Vanilla custard. Pecan and brown sugar. Pineapple and mango. Apricot and pear. Finish: Flavors of apple, pear, and apricot. Pineapple and mango. Golden raisin and green grape. Sugar cookie. Vanilla. Toffee and butterscotch. Clove, nutmeg, and black and white pepper. Oak. It has a moderate length. Well, I've tasted it now, and I believe it. This expression has a very full profile. Perhaps it’s just suggestion, but this comes across as an exceptionally yeasty/bready single malt. The fruit notes are less prominent than in a typical Glenmorangie, and the sweet confections and baked goods are overwhelmingly dominant here. For $96, this was definitely worth the cost. Its price is comparable to the Cairdeas line, and this particular Glenmorangie holds its own against those. I'm quite surprised to admit that, and I think it's noteworthy that this is the only bottling from this older annual release line, or the current Glenmorangie annual release line, that can be compared in this way. This is bottled at 51.2% ABV and it truly excels. As I mentioned earlier, the key descriptor here is robust. It has a thick mouthfeel and a rich profile. It's engaging from beginning to end. Excellent work, Glenmorangie. My rating is 4.75/5.

Glenmorangie consistently maintains a high standard. While it's not my preferred distillery, I acknowledge its significance in the market. This "Allta" expression is a very solid offering. Allta is one of Dr. Bill Lumsden's experimental creations, utilizing a unique yeast strain developed by the Glenmorangie Lab, known as Saccharomyces diaemath. Bottled at 51.2% ABV, it has a golden hue. On the nose, it presents a pleasant, though not extraordinary, aroma. It begins with the characteristic Glenmorangie orange note, along with hints of oak and wheat. There are also notes of malted barley and Spanish "Turron" (nougat). After a sip, the aroma reveals a wafer-like scent with creamy vanilla custard, strongly reminiscent of a very popular Ecuadorian sweet wafer cookie called "GALLETAS AMOR" (meaning "Love Cookies"). On the palate, the flavors are wonderfully balanced. It features creamy puff pastry, wafer, oranges, and a distinct peppery spice. The flavor profile is beautiful. The aftertaste is nearly perfect, offering creamy wafer (like galletas amor), a pleasant cereal note, and puff pastry with vanilla. It has a strong, powerful, and very enjoyable finish, with subtle hints of soap and ginger. Overall, this dram was a delightful surprise. At $110, it provides an enjoyable experience. It's very well-rounded, and I doubt it will receive negative reviews. I commend Glenmorangie for their innovation and consistent delivery of good products. My score is a well-deserved 89 out of 100.

The nose definitely carries alcohol. There's also some lemon, yeast, and grass. It might be a refreshing aroma, but it's not particularly pleasant. The palate is quite interesting, with a strong clover honey flavor that's diluted and mixed with a lot of vanilla. It's very floral and consequently quite tart, with a yeasty bread quality similar to brioche. Brioche with candied lemon peel and plenty of vanilla is certainly the impression I get. It's intriguing, mostly because it's so different. It's a decent enough sipper and I think it's slightly better than the regular Glenmorangie The Original, but not by much. The candied lemon adds a somewhat artificial flavor. It also lacks the complexity and smoothness of Tullibardine 13 Brandy. Yes, it certainly tastes young and overly sweet, like candy mixed with alcohol. It's moderately smooth, but nowhere near as smooth as Tullibardine 13 Brandy. Something just seems a little off – young. It works, but I'm not a fan. The mouthfeel is moderate. It's a 23 out of 14. I think 14 is probably accurate, and the original is probably a 13. Yes. I wouldn't say I'm enjoying drinking this.

For those unaware, Glenmorangie is under the umbrella of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, the same group that owns Ardbeg distillery. Over the last decade, both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg have been launching "special" or limited releases. The tenth Private Edition from Glenmorangie is named "Allta," which means "wild" in Scots Gaelic. The primary focus is on the yeast. According to the official announcements, the master distiller, Dr. Lumsden, isolated a unique strain of yeast found on barley in the fields adjacent to the distillery, hence the name Allta. This has resulted in a whisky quite distinct from the standard 10 Year expression. Nose is subtly sweet and citrusy with notes of freshly baked bread. The palate reveals more citrus, vanilla, and flavors akin to raw pizza dough, finishing with biscuit and pepper notes. For those who favor bourbon over Scotch, this expression offers an interesting profile, as many of its flavor notes brought to mind certain bourbons like Four Roses Small Batch. At $100, it's an intriguing but rather expensive starting point for something different from one of the most accessible Single Malt Scotch producers.

This is an amazing scotch. I'm struggling to find enough words to describe how good it is. On the nose, just a faint trace of char with subtle vanilla and citrus. On the palate, the only thing to say is incredible balance. The sweetness is matched by tartness, Char is matched by richness, spice is matched by smoothness. And there's just enough vanilla to accompany the fruity aftertaste in the finish. The finish lasts a long time and fades with clear peach cobbler and apricot notes. Since I don't favor sweet drinks, achieving this peach cobbler profile without it tasting overly sweet is remarkable. If you were to create the ultimate peach cobbler, with 80% peaches and 20% apricot, with no added sugar, and craft a sophisticated adult beverage from it...that would be Allta. The unfortunate aspect of this bottle is its limited release in this specific version. It would be easy to get lost in this bottle at an outdoor gathering in late July during dessert, and not want to leave! Thanks to a friend for sharing. $100 in NC, but for a limited time only $70 at Blackwell's!