Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or Sauternes Cask Finish

This was a definite favorite for me years ago. As I've moved away from wine cask selections, my preference for Nectar D'or has faded, much like its age statement. But as I continue my journey down memory lane, it's time to revisit this old classic. The aroma is delicate and sweet, like a bowl of grapes lightly drizzled with honey. You can also detect just the slightest hint of orange. The taste is surprising because the initial flavor tastes a bit salty to me. It was sudden and fleeting enough that I went back for another sip, just to be sure I hadn't imagined it, and indeed, it's there. Vanilla and honey sweetness coat your tongue, and the finish tastes ever so slightly bitter, citrusy, and spicy. Think orange peel with some baking spice. The finish leaves a malty sensation in your mouth and leaves you wanting more. Yeah, this one is solid. Although part of me thinks that when this had an age statement, it was tastier. But then again, I had only tasted a handful of whiskies the first time I had Nectar D'Or, and very likely my memory was influenced by my inexperienced palate.

Glenmorangie Distillery in Highland, Scotland presents this rich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, aged at least 10 years in American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels and then finished in Sauternes wine casks. It begins aromatically with notes of barley, lemon curd, vanilla shortbread, oak spice, gingerbread, nougat, maple syrup, dried fruit, and honey. Its life is rich and silky, adding notes of orange, berries, toffee, vanilla custard, buttery baklava, and toasted brown sugar. It concludes with a dry, medium-length finish of oak, lemon shortbread, apricot, milk chocolate, and gingersnaps. January / August 2022

A phrase keeps coming to mind: "pineapple whisky." (Note that it's whisky, not Scotch.) So, I do like a 'pineapple' descriptor - quite a lot, actually - but here it feels more like a consolation prize. I'm disappointed. It's still good, don't get me wrong, very drinkable - but it's not "Nectar D'Or."

A superb dessert sipper! It's more elegant than the 12 year old but not as creamy as the 18 year old. The nose is sweet with the familiar but subtle orange peel. There's a sensation of being in a vineyard with very faint hints of freshly cut hay. The palate begins sweet with notes of honey, overripe pear, and sweet wine. The finish has a slight saltiness with light cream. The finish isn't exceptionally long, but it's great!

Nose features warm honey, citrus peel, bright lemon, sweet vanilla frosting, spicy ginger molasses cookies, and subtle oak. Palate is smooth and slick with honey and prominent oak. Finish includes vanilla shortbread with honey, a ginger sting, more oak than expected, brown sugar, and salted caramel. Faint citrus lingers.

This was the priciest of the four versions in the "Tasting Set", and in my opinion, the least desirable. Really pleased I got to sample this from a 100 ml "taster". It's sweet, just as anticipated, but the sweetness feels almost manufactured. It hits you first, but is rapidly followed by the burn of the alcohol and a dry conclusion.