Glenmorangie Tarlogan

This is the third release in the Glenmorangie Legends Collection, The Tarlogan, following Duthac and Tayne. All three are travel retail exclusives meant to represent areas around the distillery. The Tarlogan is named after the Tarlogie water source. It's a blend of whisky aged in virgin oak and ex-bourbon casks. In a Glencairn, it appears pale straw yellow with watery, thin legs and medium-sized drops after swirling. It's bottled at 43% ABV, and I purchased it online from Whisky World for $46. The aroma leads with lightly charred oak, apples, pears, and fresh muddled spearmint. An intrusive menthol and eucalyptus note permeates the entire dram before eventually giving way to standard ex-bourbon barrel characteristics like vanilla, leather tannins, and sawdust. The palate is more adventurous: pears, banana bread, berry fruits, and apples. The spirit is young and cannot be masked, especially when aged in virgin oak, resulting in a natural harshness and some heat, even at 43% ABV. The thin mouthfeel allows the abrasive aspects to assault the tongue. The finish is medium-short and very dry. It ultimately tastes and feels like licking the inside of the cask. Wood, wood, and more wood. Overall, I found the Duthac to be similar to this bottling: very average and uninspired. Reviews of The Tayne suggest it's the best of the three Legends Collection releases and worth seeking out. This, unfortunately, is just more travel retail exclusive/no age statement mediocrity from Glenmorangie. I can only recommend it to dedicated Glenmorangie enthusiasts. 2.5-2.75 stars. Cheers.

It's a bit of a disappointment due to the rather high expectations I had for it. The color is old dusty gold. The nose is a little spirit-forward initially, but after a short aeration, it develops an oaky structure with classic sweet notes – caramel, honey, creamy vanilla – along with some tart fruits and ashberry, and well-defined grain notes (surprising for a single malt). The taste is again a classic sweet Glenmorangie – honey, toffee, caramel, some citrus. Some spices and ginger notes can also be mentioned. As it was stated on a website: “it seems there's a conflict between the well-aged spirits and the younger ones,” which is likely true. The finish is nice, which is typical for Glenmorangie, regardless of whether a whisky was truly good or just average. The aftertaste contains all the hints mentioned above, with something reminiscent of lychee. It's not very long or very short – just nice.

I didn't take any specific notes while drinking it, so my recollection will be precise. It wasn't particularly outstanding, featuring honey on the nose, with vanilla and some oak. The palate was somewhat ordinary, also with honey, peppery notes, and hints of chocolate. It felt too uncomplicated. Overall, I rate this dram a fair 73 out of 100. It's a bit expensive at $110.

The pear aroma on the nose invites enjoyment of this smooth, sweet, syrupy Scotch. The full-bodied sweetness transitions to a buttery walnut finish.

Tarlogan. Sweet notes of dried fruit, smooth and light, lacking complexity. I preferred Tante and Duthac slightly. Tasted alongside many others, so my perception might be influenced.

A bit sharp going down, neither peaty nor particularly sweet/oaky. It might suit some palates, but it was underwhelming for me.