Glenmorangie Tayne

TYPICALLY A 1L BOTTLE FOUND ONLY IN TRAVEL RETAIL (DUTY FREE). I acquired mine for $50 USD at Piarco International in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Expect inflated prices in secondary markets and more upscale Duty Free locations. SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY FROM THE NORTH COASTAL HIGHLANDS. This bottling lacks an age statement. My assumption is that young Glenmorangie, matured in ex-bourbon casks, is finished in Spanish Amontillado sherry barrels. Do not be misled: it is not solely matured in sherry. Bottled at 43% ABV. AROMA: Sweet and rich. Notes of gingerbread, raisins, and dark chocolate. It conflicts with the clean, floral, fruity character typical of Glenmorangie, which is still present. I detect some sawdust notes that are not to my liking. TASTE: Initially pleasant with chocolate sherry notes. Then it deteriorates. Plenty of nuts! Almonds, walnuts, etc., but they are unpleasant and raw. Additionally, there are peculiar flavors like burnt caramel popcorn and generic coffee from a waiting room. I don't understand it. It cannot decide between being sweet or dry. Ultimately, it's disappointing. FINISH: Unpleasant. A chaotic mix of bitter apples, milk chocolate, spoiled limes, rotten eggs, common spices, and maple syrup. Fortunately, it is short-lived and fades quickly. OVERALL: Why do I repeatedly fall for travel retail exclusives that I suspect will be poor? Any time you encounter the trifecta of subpar Scotch – no age statement, travel retail exclusive, and low alcohol by volume (under 46%) – you should avoid purchasing it. However, I thought, a liter for $50? Can't lose, right? I was wrong. This is a beginner's Scotch for those who don't scrutinize unpleasant flavor combinations or bad flavors in general; perhaps for those who enjoy Scotch with ice. I left this bottle in Trinidad with someone who drinks Scotch with Coke and ice – nothing wrong with that, but it's not my preference. If you desire a sherry-influenced Glenmorangie, La Santa is more accessible and significantly better. If you believe the tropical climate of Trinidad altered my perception of this Scotch, I purchased Talisker 10 at the same store. It tasted like Talisker 10, and I enjoyed it. MARK: 61/100. VALUE FOR MONEY: I would rather drink this than poison (or Toki). But for me, the appropriate value of this bottle is $0.

The final sample needed from the [Brand Name] travel retail Legends Collection: The Tayne. This bottle commemorates Spanish sailing vessels that transported their goods from the Spanish coast to Scotland and the U.K. Thanks to a contact in New Jersey, I can finish this uninspiring trilogy without spending an additional $85-100. This bottle contains non-age-stated spirit that was finished in Spanish Amontillado sherry casks. It is chill-filtered, has added coloring, and was bottled at 43% ABV. It has a rich gold color and forms thin legs without leaving much residue behind. The aroma consists of ripe raspberries, oranges, and dried orchard fruit. There's a prominent, dry roasted peanut note alongside the faintest hint of oak. The palate begins with more berries and oranges but quickly shifts to cinnamon and paprika spices before a pleasant, bitter chocolate note rounds it out. It certainly seems stronger than 43%, but that impression must be due to the youthful spirit. The finish is long and warm, spicy with a lingering oily sherry note. This is undoubtedly the most appealing aspect of the dram – it just persists until you wash it away. Overall, I'm uncertain which of the Legends bottles I preferred the most. This one lacked significant complexity, but it was quite palatable – typical for this distillery. They never seem to be exciting drams, with the exception of the initial Signet release. It's unfortunate that one must spend $160+ to reach that level with this distillery. This is a decent, though unremarkable, spirit. Three stars. Thank you again to my friend. Cheers.

The aroma presents raspberry coulis, orange slices, and apple chips, followed by a light floral note of vanilla blossom and whole nutmeg, before a freshly poured walnut brown ale with a slight ethanol burn. The taste has a thin mouthfeel, starting with raspberry sorbet, orange zest, and apple juice, followed by light floral notes of vanilla blossom, before a medium spice that fades to ginger, walnut brown bread, and dark chocolate with a light ethanol burn. It finishes medium-length with walnut brown bread, dark chocolate, orange zest, fresh raspberries, and light oak. Another easily drinkable spirit from the distillery, featuring a balance of light flavors that would benefit from a higher alcohol content to truly intensify the flavors and create a richer mouthfeel, as this appears diluted. Among the samples tasted, this is likely my favorite of the week, slightly surpassing the others. Tied for second are [Brand Name] and [Brand Name] 14 year, followed by [Brand Name] 10 year, and lastly [Brand Name]. Thank you to a friend for the generous sample of this to conclude this unremarkable week of [Brand Name].

This marks my third Glenmorangie Legends whisky, notably distinct from Lasanta and Duthac, having been matured in amontillado sherry casks. (It's uncertain if Signet belongs to the "Legends" series). Presented at 43% ABV with a deep copper hue, the bottle itself is quite attractive. Nose: Exhibits notes of orange jelly, abundant vanilla cream, and an orange air freshener scent (perhaps Glade?), with a subtle spiciness and a fresh herbal undertone. Palate: Rich in nuttiness. It has a slight warmth (oily, not from oak), with an overwhelming clove spice. The finish is medium-bodied, featuring notes of ash, and leaves a sensation akin to eating Pop Rocks. Overall, a very well-balanced dram. I'm awarding 22 points to each category (nose, palate, finish, and balance), resulting in a score of 88 out of 100. Cheers!

I opened this bottle to share during Thanksgiving. The liter size is convenient for hosting extra guests. I've previously enjoyed the [Brand Name] Signet, but really disliked the Nectar D'or, so I was hoping this would fall somewhere in between. The nose is a bit phenolic initially, but allow it to breathe. You'll soon detect almonds and chocolate. That nut and cocoa combination carries over to the palate, with added hints of vanilla and oolong tea. It's not yet available in the US, but if it becomes so, it's a worthwhile value ($75 for a liter). It doesn't reach the level of the Signet, but in my opinion, it's better than the Lasanta, Nectar, or their standard 12-year-old.

Banana bread, sweet cinnamon and baking spices, vanilla, and bready malt. There's a pleasing sharpness, citrusy, almost Rye-like quality. A hint of sea salt and toasted coconut. Bright honeyed nuts are the first impression on the palate, developing into warm ginger and woody spices. The finish is crisp and slightly bitter, though a bit hot. Overall, it's fairly straightforward but enjoyable. In my opinion, it's not noticeably improved from the original 10 year old... It was a gift from my father (who prefers port) on his last business trip to England. In a dry glass: beeswax and dry malt.