Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1990

Magnificent! This is my tasting notes for the Glenmorangie 1990 Grand Vintage Malt, a spirit that is now an annual dedication to certain bonded storage facilities this producer maintained. This is a 25-year-old release, bottled in 2016 (requires a math whiz, haha). A truly stunning bottle that sells for approximately $460 - $520. Packaged at 43% ABV The bouquet is an absolute delight for the olfactory senses: Orange confectionary. Exquisitely refined caramel. I detect some sherry influence here, Undeniably figs and maraschino cherries. An incredibly intricate aroma. Coffee, brown sugar, Apples. So intricate! It constantly offers different scents each time. Orange extravagance. Vanilla. On the tongue, it is far less intricate and more grounded, though exceptionally well-balanced. Vanilla enveloped by Oak piquancy. A touch of sherry. Caramel. A rather Elegant, Polished dram. Perhaps a bit mundane. The finish provides something more, enhancing the tasting sensation. It is Dry, Grassy. Hay and Ginger zest. In summary, this is a superb whisky. The palate could be improved, but I comprehend that upscale whiskies are often designed for easy consumption rather than intricate, layered flavors. Nevertheless, it earns a solid 90 out of 100, which could be seen as fitting recognition for a 1990 dram.

NOSE Honey, spices for baking, toasted malt, leather, citrus rind, sweet figs, and Honey Nut Cheerios, along with some dried fruit, raisin sweetness, and hints of toffee and cocoa. It feels fresh and airy, not heavy, but still bold in its presentation. PALATE Honey, strong cinnamon baking spice, buttery pie crust, leather, dried strawberries, Honey Nut Cheerios, toffee, dried orchard fruit, and a trace of oak and raisin sweetness. Similar to the aroma, it's smooth and velvety, not heavy, but possesses a wonderful, complex character. FINISH Medium-long, fading notes of dried orchard fruit, Honey Nut Cheerios, and oak, concluding with a light sweetness of leather and strawberry candy.

I sampled this over the weekend at a buddy's house. This is akin to dating a supermodel, then returning to an average person. Or traveling in first class on Singapore airlines, then flying coach on Spirit airways. Once you've experienced this, how can you genuinely appreciate other options? This embodies every flaw and virtue contained within a fancy container, boasting aromas of honey and citrus, and an exceptionally rich flavor of the finest Belgian chocolates coating your mouth. To describe this as a truly elegant, opulent whisky would be an understatement. I'm uncertain if I would purchase it at its present cost (it's either this or the mortgage... I'd choose the mortgage), but I'm grateful for the experience.

Drammers club pour. Quite good, though I preferred the 1991 grand vintage more. Nose: Vanilla, Honey, Caramel, Sultanas, Figs, Dates, Raisins, Cotton Candy, Cherries, Grass, Oranges, Almonds, Walnuts, Pears, Apricots, Pineapples, Mangoes, Palate: Raisins, Pineapples, Vanilla, Passion Fruit, Plums, Bananas, Coconut, Figs, Raisins, Honey, Poached Pears, Caramel Finish: Green Apples, Vanilla, White Chocolate, Honey, Passion Fruit, Sultanas, Raisins, Pineapples, Papaya, Mangoes

This whisky, a floral pastry puff, possesses a delightful and elegant body featuring rich peaches and Chantilly cream. It requires some time to open up, but patience is rewarded with an expanding flavor profile of great depth and breadth. Adding a dash of water introduced a brightness I found unnecessary. Visually gorgeous, aromatically superior, and deceptively easy to imbibe. This angel clad in white leather is surely flawless.

This dram is highly impressive. It exhibits honey and vanilla notes typical of Glenmorangie, coupled with an understated maturity stemming from 26 years in casks. Jim Murray's highly deserved score of 94 reflects its quality, and enthusiasts of Glenmorangie's 18 and 25-year-old expressions will likely concur.