Glenmorangie Astar

I decided to use my one night off from work this week to travel to the big city (Richmond, VA) and visit my local large whiskey establishment, which, coincidentally, is named McCormack’s Big Whisky Grill. A large plate of homemade mac & cheese topped with pulled pork bbq was perfect for my hungry stomach, and I chose to sample this new, NAS Glenmorangie to see if it warranted purchasing. Much to my pleasant surprise, perhaps it was fate, the owner/bartender decided to give me the original 2008 Astar instead of the new release. So I got a $28 pour of the 2008 for the price of the 2017. What a nice treat. This original version was aged in former bourbon casks from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. While there's no information about which bourbon distillery they came from, the aroma suggests they might have originated from Four Roses. The nose is fantastic: tropical fruits, a marzipan sweetness, very floral before revealing lightly toasted oak. I could enjoy smelling this all day. The palate is initially rich and smooth. Orange cream and vanilla flavors begin the experience very nicely, almost like a dessert. But then a delightful, warm cinnamon spice emerges and balances the entire palate. There's a slight harshness in the finish. The finish is of medium length, oaky, and sweet. I perceive some caramel or toffee notes that complete the final tastes and leave you very content. If all NAS whiskies were like this, I don't think there would be as much criticism – I would certainly welcome them. All things considered, this might be my favorite Glenmorangie so far. I haven't been a huge fan of this distillery, but this one has definitely changed my perspective. Now I need to start looking for older Astar bottles to add to my collection. I've heard they go for over $200. The new release is close to $100, so perhaps I should try that one to see if it recaptures any of the 2008's quality. As it stands, this bottle deserves a solid 4.25-4.5 stars. If you happen upon it during your travels, I highly recommend trying it. It's definitely good, quality stuff. Enjoy, my friends.

Nose - (without water) Honeyed pears & apples, faint apple core bitterness, vanilla cream, mild ginger, light charred/burnt sugar (with water) Largely the same, but more vibrant & bright Taste - (without water) Hot on the palate, honey drizzled apples/pears, caramel apples, vanilla cream, light apple core bitterness, white pepper heat, burnt sugar bitterness (with water) Heat greatly diminished, slightly more ginger heat/sweetness, slightly less honey flavor, more bright fruity pears & apples Finish - (without water) Lingering hot white pepper heat, lightly bitter pear/apple cores/stems, honeycomb (with water) More apple/pear core bitter sweet Score - 81/100 Final Thoughts - This seemed like fairly standard Glenmorangie to me, but just cranked up to 12. The higher proof is nice, but this still seems to have the same bitter apple/pear core bitterness I get throughout the standard Glenmorangie "base" spirit. Nice honeyed apple & pear flavors going on here along with some nice vanilla cream, but the underlying core/stem bitterness gets a bit distracting. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - Not Another

This is how single malt scotch ought to be savored. Bottled without chill filtration at a proof that invites contemplation and allows the spirit to truly express itself. It's meant for quiet enjoyment, one measure at a time, reflecting on the individuals who made these cherished moments possible – the ones you'll recall with a smile after a tough day. Please don't try to make it something it's not; instead, drink it and realize that this is what life can offer when approached with intention. It's what life can be if done properly.

I appreciate Glenmorangie for the variety in their whiskies. This particular one is a rare and exceptional spirit. This whisky is sweet and fruity, with notes resembling pears or apples, and it's spicy. For a 52.5% ABV (2017 release), the finish is smooth and enduring. I consider this an excellent choice for after dinner, a whisky to be savored on special occasions. Outstanding.

I truly regret not liking this at the distillery; it was scarce and well-priced, plus cask strength, but it had a very prominent burn, not just an afterburn. It felt medicinal. I would have liked to sample it with water, but I ended up getting the Duthac 1-liter for slightly less, which tasted significantly better.

11/28/17 Nose: Creamy peaches, delightfully sweet. Palate: Smooth and easy to drink, quite sweet with some nuttiness appearing later. The finish is brief, but for a scotch, it's incredibly unique. Adding a bit of water reveals a pleasant black tea taste upfront.