Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey 18 Years Old
43% ABV
$90 to $110
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What the Distillery Says:
The 18 Years Old is a single malt Scotch whisky of serious distinction. Once it has spent fifteen years maturing in American white oak casks approximately 30% is transferred into Spanish Oloroso casks to spend a further three years maturing. Then, when both elements have reached 18 years, we blend them back together to create a whisky with a rich bouquet and full, rounded flavour.
For a whisky of this age this expression has maintained, thanks to our delicate floral spirit and fine Oloroso casks, an incredible degree of vibrancy where the raisiny sweetness of the sherry has been toned down by the nuttiness of the American oak.
Aroma: Rich, rounded and sweet with dried fruits and a complex floral fragrance.
Taste: The taste is balanced between honey, malt and flowery scents. Dates and figs emerge in the background with a hint of wood smoke.
Finish: The finish is long and enticing with the sweetness of dried fruit and subtle dryness of Oloroso nuttiness.
Colour: Honeyed gold
What Richard Says:
Nose: Dried wood and bouquet garni with bits of sweet dried fruit around the edges.
Palate: Creamy, light, delicate and a little nutty. You need to roll this one around a bit to let it open in the mouth. It’s very coy at first. As it opens you get caramelized onions, more dried wood and light honeysuckle sweetness.
Finish: Dry…like reach for a glass of water dry with a grain-ish woodiness.
Comments: Not my favorite Glenmorangie. This is very much the older patriarch to the 10 year old “Original” but like that expression I’m not bowled over with this one. Glenmorangie seems to make a nice, lightly pleasant base spirit that takes to wood finishing well. However, the base spirit can be a little bland and uninspiring. I find this one to fall into that camp. However, I truly respect that they are keeping (for now) their 18 year old in a (somewhat) reasonable price range while others are charging toward the $150 or $200 mark.
Rating: Average