Glenmorangie Traditional 100 Proof

There's nothing quite like a vintage-looking bottle, especially when it holds a glorious 'juice' inside. I'm not the biggest Glenmorangie enthusiast, and I was certainly skeptical of this 'Traditional' expression, but it truly impressed me. Labeled as '100 proof,' this bottle evokes memories of imperial measures from days past. Bottled at 57.2% ABV. It has been aged in 'mountain oak,' which, unsurprisingly, is actually American white oak. It's a 10-year-old single malt. On the nose, oranges, rose water, perfume, hazelnut, Nutella, and lime. It has this amazing brownie aroma. After a first sip, the aroma shifts to butter, croissant. Yeasty. It genuinely smells like new dollar bills. The palate begins sweet. A full vanilla flavor, very refined, very well executed. Brownie crust, tobacco, and hay. Quite delicious. The finish is the pinnacle of this whisky's character. Tobacco, burnt grass, chocolate, and brownies. Overall, I would never have guessed this was a Glenmorangie in a blind tasting. I truly believe the high ABV has extracted everything from the new wood, which is undoubtedly American oak from the Ozark Mountains, where Glenmorangie owns a forest. That being said, this is a fantastic single malt, packed with sweet flavors. I loved it. My rating for it is 97 out of 100.

NOSE Complex notes of dried orchard fruit, honey, toffee, cocoa, toasted bread, citrus peels, waxy vanilla fondant, and lighter hints of coconut, nuts, and baking spice. I could inhale this indefinitely; the intricate fruit introduces successive waves of apricots, apples, pears, and more. I'm very fond of it. PALATE Complex dried orchard fruit, honey, sultanas, coconut, vanilla cupcakes, oak, toffee, and hints of banana chips and baking spice with a subtle earthiness. There's a substantial quality to this that persists, revealing a distinct oak character. FINISH Medium to Long; fruit and malty graham notes gradually fade to a honeyed fruit essence.

Very sweet, yet the flavor isn't sticky.