Glenmorangie Spìos

This is the ninth release out of ten from the now finished Glenmoramgie Private Collection. It's the only one I managed to acquire, though I believe the Allta is still obtainable. Regardless, this one is a great pickup. Matured solely in former rye barrels, which I think is a first for me with Scotches. Let's see. Smell: Honey, toffee, vanilla, and butterscotch. Almond. Apple, pear, and apricot. Orange zest. Black licorice. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, a little rye spice, and oak. Taste: Apple, pear, and apricot. Banana. White grape and red grape. Golden raisin and fig. Orange zest. Vanilla frosting, caramel, milk chocolate, and toffee. Brown sugar. Almond and macadamia. Floral notes. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Aftertaste: Vanilla, caramel. Gala apple, pear, and apricot. Orange zest. Vanilla, sugar cookie, milk chocolate, and toffee. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Medium-long finish, almost long. This was an excellent find. I was late to purchasing this one when I discovered it a couple of years ago, and it was definitely worth the $90. It has a well-rounded character yet lives up to its name as the spicy expression in the series. Former rye cask Scotch was a fantastic idea. I don't recall the Allta's unique feature, but this was good enough to buy on sight and investigate later. 4.5/5.

I took a chance on this bottle, having enjoyed the Tusail. The aroma presented significant spice (as expected) and rye character, with notes of pears, sawdust, vanilla, tea, tobacco, dried banana chips, and chocolate. The palate is robust without dill, and no water is needed. It offers dark chocolate, mint, white and red peppers, star anise, and wood. Well-balanced and a true delight. The medium finish reveals orange marmalade with pith and sweet gumdrops, and the spice thankfully fades without becoming dry. This is an excellent expression, rated 4.25, and I eagerly anticipate exploring more from Glenmorangie's Private Editions. The defining characteristic of this dram seems to be its spiciness, perhaps akin to "Pioneer to the Falls" by Interpol.

Amazing! The esteemed Dr. Lumsden has achieved a rye maturation that delivers precisely as hoped: a harmonious blend of Scotch with a layer of bright spice. The rye is first perceived through aromas of pepper and clove. The spirit itself is more substantial than the original Glenmorangie (**), with a nuttier profile rather than creamy. The ending is spicy and sweet, stopping just short of becoming overly sweet like the Lasanta (*) or Milsean (*). This concept has been in development for two decades, as Dr. L shared with me at tonight's tasting event, and the search for the correct barrels was worthwhile.

NOSE Sweet aromas of honey, orchard fruit, and spice mingle with graham cracker, tangerine, and vanilla notes, alongside hints of candy and malt. As it rests, the baking spice transforms from a general warmth to distinct cinnamon and nutmeg. PALATE Flavors of dried orchard fruit, baking spice, graham, malt, banana, cocoa, and a touch of oak and tobacco are present, with a subtle herbal undertone. The profile is fruity and spicy, evoking a young rye whiskey. FINISH A medium finish features apple-forward fruit, malt, cocoa, spice, and oak. The oak character is reminiscent of a small-barrel craft rye, not a bourbon oak.

[APPEARANCE] 7% Mead [AROMA] Apple turnovers, grape juice, warm baked goods, light oak/vanillin, hint of earthy nutmeg & fresh cinnamon [TASTE] Lovely narrative that begins with pale malts, buttery raw biscuits, and transitions through gentle spices, lemongrass, fennel lozenges, wisps of smoke, and concludes with ginger chews and tart lemon peel, Anjou pear slices [FINISH] More lemongrass, ginger, and Asian herbs dominate, long and pleasantly floral, pungent [MOUTHFEEL] Solid airy structure, dynamic and well-developed, elegant interplay of primary notes

Glenmorangie is among my preferred distilleries. Smooth, sweet malt. Excellent product. Upon learning the new private edition was matured exclusively in American Rye whiskey casks, I was compelled to acquire a bottle. The aroma is characteristic of Glenmorangie, with a subtle woody spice. The initial taste is smooth and sweet, akin to the 10-year, but the rye influence emerges on the finish. It's still scotch, make no mistake. However, it possesses a distinct woody, spicy finish that lingers. Superb product, essential for any Glenmorangie enthusiast. Score: 90-92.