Stands Out

Glenmorangie Companta Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
46% ABV
$90 to $110
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Inspired by Dr Bill’s travels across France’s greatest vineyards and the friends made along the way, Glenmorangie Companta (Scots Gaelic for ‘friendship’) is a refined balance between bold spice and rich, smooth sweetness; the result of a careful assemblage of spirit extra matured in Grand Cru casks from Clos de Tart and those of a lusciously sweet fortified wine from Côtes du Rhône.

“The smaller vineyards of the region don’t seem to worry about yields, costs, or timings. They work tirelessly, simply to produce the very best wine. In the same spirit as Glenmorangie, they stop at nothing in the pursuit of perfection.

“This shared philosophy inspired me to create the ultimate tribute to my longstanding love for French vineyards and the friends that I’ve had the pleasure to make throughout my travels.” – Dr Bill

Non chill-filtered

Aroma: On the nose, Companta exudes rich, ‘autumnal’ scents of red berries and damp forest floors, with a hint of fragrant woodsmoke complementing notes of aromatic, nutty oak.
Taste: Upon tasting, a spicy palate redolent of cherries and stewed fruits is slowly revealed, as notes of sugared plums, blood orange and rose-hip syrup emerge alongside milk chocolate and brown sugar.
Finish: Companta lingers on with a rich, mouth-coating finish.
Colour: Cherry red

What Richard Says:
Nose: Leaf compost. Like if you pile up your fall leaves in the corner of the backyard and go digging in it in the spring. Agitate it a little and it opens up to a rich nuttiness with a nice sherry note.
Palate: Light sweetness that slowly builds to a rich more molasses flavor with hints of berry jam. This is very viscous.
Finish: Long, wet, musty oak.
Comments: Looking back over my notes on this one it doesn’t look like it would be good but really it is. 🙂 I was weary of this expression because probably my least favorite Glenmorangie ever was the old Burgundy wood finish but this one works very well. Nice balance and very earthy.
Rating: Stands Out

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Nectar D’Or Extra Matured in Sauternes Casks 12 Years Old
46% ABV
$65 to $70
Website

What the Distillery Says:
“Great to see French casks that actually complement a whisky – so rare! An exercise in outrageously good sweet-dry balancing”

It is here, in hand selected wine barriques from Sauternes: the most famous and ancient sweet wine growing region of France, that this whisky develops its rich, spicy and dessert-like flavours.

Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel.

Aroma: Lime and orange rind, sultanas and dates give a rich fruity flavour laced with tantalising spices of coconut and nutmeg.
Taste: Ginger, nutmeg and toasted almonds bring a deep, warming taste interwoven with a syrupy lemon meringue and honeycomb middle.
Finish: Long and lusciously sweet finish with lemon zest, white chocolate, vanilla and traces of ginger and nutmeg.
Colour: Honeyed gold

What Richard Says:
Nose: A daiquiri with Japanese cherry blossoms. No, not that multicolored fruit-nasty thing in the swirly machine at Wet Willy’s. This is a real daiquiri like Hemingway drank. Fresh squeezed lime juice, rum, and sugar.
Palate: Thick honey sweetness sprinkled with black pepper and a nutty back.
Finish: Dry and surprisingly woody.
Comments: This one plays with the finishing and sweetness better than the Lasanta. The Sauternes casks are nice enhancement to already solid malt.
Rating: Stands Out

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Quinta Ruban Extra Matured in Port Casks 12 Years Old
46% ABV
$45 to $50
Website

What the Distillery Says:
The darkest and most intense whisky in the extra-matured range, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak casks, before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas or wine estates of Portugal.

Extra maturation in these port pipes develops Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban into a voluptuous spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures.

Non chill-filtered for additional aroma and mouthfeel.

Aroma: Dark mint chocolate, tangerines and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut before giving way to a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.
Taste: Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate like velvet, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.
Finish: Long lasting silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange.
Colour: Sunlit rose gold

What Richard Says:
Nose: Citrus, berries, and a hint of sweet basil.
Palate: Oily, rich, and smooth. Plums, dark chocolate and more citrus. Chocolate orange candies?
Finish: Long and dry.
Comments: Very nice. Of the three 12 year old finishes I like this one the best. The port adds a delicious overtone. It doesn’t quite dominate like Lasanta’s sherry but it edges over the Nectar D’Or.
Rating: Stands Out

Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
The Lasanta Extra Matured in Sherry Casks 12 Years Old
46% ABV
$45 to $50
Website

What the Distillery Says:
Elegant but full bodied this whisky has spent ten years maturing in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being extra-matured for a further two years in Oloroso Sherry casks from Jerez in Spain.

Aroma: Warm spices mix with smooth chocolate covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee.
Taste: Deliciously sweet sherry flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices.
Finish: Long and satisfying finish with spiced orange and chocolate covered hazelnuts.
Colour: Light russet

What Richard Says:
Nose: Heavy, in your face meaty sherry nose. Vanilla, stewed prunes dusted with cocoa powder, hazelnuts, and back notes of clementine orange slices.
Palate: Sweet almost to the point of being cloying. Raisins and nut trail mix with a pinch of white pepper.
Finish: Warm, slow and nutty.
Comments: I like sherried malts…a lot. Hit me with your biggest sherry bomb and I’ll be coming back for more. However, this young kid seems to be trying a bit too hard. It lacks the balanced play of an aged Glendronach or Mortlach. I think maybe it’s because the underlying malt is so delicate I don’t think it stands up well to the heavy sherry influence here. It’s more of a glass of sherry with a Glenmorangie boilermaker rather than a sherry finished Glenmorangie.
Rating: Stands Out