Glenmorangie The Original 12 Year

This Glenmorangie will always be a staple single malt for me. In the early days of my spirit tasting journey, I considered Nectar D'or to be the most exquisite liquid I had ever had the pleasure of sampling. Indeed, that selection is very enjoyable. Recently, Glenmorangie updated its core product, increasing the age statement from 10 to 12 years. I'm still a bit disoriented by the new bottle design, expecting to see that familiar gold label. But that's just my personal grumbling and resistance to change. The aroma has become more complex with the added maturation. Citrus peel and granny smith apples lend a tartness. Smooth honey is still present, but now accompanied by aromatic vanilla bean. The taste still begins gently, smoothly, and sweetly with honey, but with a pleasant nuttiness at the forefront. Honey-roasted cashews. This nutty quality used to be found towards the end of the taste. Around the mid-palate, a burst of citrus pith and white peach creates a lively fruity note. Surprisingly, some tannic oak now joins the experience in the mid-to-back palate, which was entirely absent in the 10-year-old. The tannins continue to the finish and actually introduce some tingling cinnamon. As the initial spice and tannins subside, the nuttiness from the taste shifts more towards dry roasted walnuts. Nutty and slightly bitter. Right at the very end, just before the finish fades, there's a surprising touch of dark cocoa powder, which was much more noticeable in the 10-year-old original. With the additional two years of aging, this bottling appears to have gained some extra complexity, and it's better for it. It is slightly more expensive, yes; but the price increase is well justified. Delicious.

Review #48 - Whisk(e)y #32 Purchased as a 100ml sample, as part of a Glenmorangie 12, 14, 15 tasting set, so not the best price per ml. Chill-filtered - Yes Artificial Colour - Yes ABV - 40% Appearance - Light golden color, short-medium legs. Nose - quite sharp oak spice, sweet, honey, vanilla, ripe fruit (yellow and red apples, pear). Becomes milder with some air. Palate - quite thin, sharp oak spice continues from the nose, dry from oak, very honey-vanilla forward, light, herbal freshness, a bit of the expected malt, prickly-effervescent, mineral? Slight bitterness and subtle orange-grapefruit note too. Finish - short-medium, oak...one dimensional and very linear, mineral, effervescent. Slight raisin aftertaste. Quite disappointing actually...I was expecting more smoothness and sweetness...but offers no flavor development, being boring, uneventful and not the most pleasant...Reminds me of Glenfiddich VAT 01...Glenmorangie Triple Cask is maltier and milder. It does mellow out and become creamier with time...but still. Glenfiddich 12 is significantly better than Glenlivet 12 and Glenmorangie 12 (in that order). For those needing a starter suggestion / best of the three, definitely choose the Glenfiddich. Never disappoints. Rating System: 5.0 - Perfect 4.5 - Exceptional 4.0 - Very Good 3.5 - Good 3.0 - Decent 2.5 - Average 2.0 - Below Average 1.5 - Barely Drinkable 1.0 - Undrinkable 0.5 - JB

Right after pouring, the nose was dominated by golden malt. I let it breathe, as that seemed unusual - it couldn't just be the malt. Within 5 minutes, strong orange peel, tart yellow-red apples, and light vanilla pudding were revealed. After another 5-10 minutes, these notes shifted back to being fruity - yellow pears, sweet yellow apples, even light apricot kernels. The taste is quite tart initially, with good maltiness, immediately followed by a nutty sensation of wild hazelnut, unpeeled roasted cashew, a vanilla dessert with light candied raspberries/blueberries, and a slight, distant sensation of wood with tannins (like a Cabernet residue). The finish has a sweet sugary feeling, light vanilla and cream, colored by golden malt and honey. It's a good everyday whiskey. Nothing exceptional, but a good everyday whiskey. 80/100 WBR.

A complex Single Malt Scotch from Glenmorangie Distillery in the Highlands of Scotland, aged for 12 years and bottled at 40% ABV. It has an aromatic beginning with notes of grain, wood, tart stone & tropical fruits, flowers, nuts, herbs & spices; while a rich & spicy character adds notes of apricots, green apple, Jaffa Cakes & orange marmalade, lemon drop, honey buttered croissant, canned peaches & nectarines, banana bread, caramel shortbread & honeysuckle; leading to a long & warm conclusion with notes of oak char, vanilla, pepper, dark chocolate, Brazil nuts & chalky minerality.

I'm discovering more complexity with this expression the more I revisit it! Nose: bright, fresh orange juice and orange zest, a floral honeysuckle note, which recedes into a light, sweet caramel and confectionary sugar. There's also a unique petrichor/fresh rain scent here. Palate: not quite as complex as the nose, but still delivers with a smooth, sweet yet light vanilla cream and a touch of orange zest. A confectionary sugar note appears here too, with a tiny hint of tannic yet sweet toasted oak as it transitions to the finish. Finish: medium short, sweet oak.

Nose: Sweet, creamy vanilla. Hints of orange zest and pear. Gentle baking spice with a trace of mint. Palate: Pleasant chewy malt; slightly nutty with honey. Vanilla, barrel spice, a hint of bitter orange peel. Finish: Mellow, gently warming. A light oaky bitterness that dries the mouth. Orange pith is noticeable later on the retrohale and back of the tongue.