We don’t just have a large backlog of malternative samples, we also do with whisky, so let’s continue picking samples and have little duos of bottlings on a common theme. Today, we’re featuring Glenmorangie, a renowned Scottish distillery known for its tall stills. We’ll be tasting the Glenmorangie 12-year-old Lasanta and Nectar d’Or, two discontinued expressions that share the same age but offer different finishes.
Glenmorangie 12-year-old Lasanta (2018) Review
The Glenmorangie Lasanta 12-year-old was initially aged in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks. Bottled at 43% ABV, it underwent chill filtration and had colouring added. We are sampling the third edition, which was bottled in 2018.
Colour:
Tawny (but fake).
Nose:
Neat: Subtle notes of flint and gunpowder, with delicate hints of tobacco and Jambon de Paris. Light traces of red fruits, such as strawberries and raspberries, emerge, accompanied by a touch of brown sugar. The overall aroma is quite light.
Palate:
Neat: The palate begins with a sweet arrival and a light mouthfeel, likely due to heavy reduction and chill filtration. The sweetness quickly transitions to bitterness, reminiscent of over-infused tea and wood, overshadowing the very sweet strawberry jam notes. Herbal tea and old rubber flavours follow.
Finish:
Medium-long, featuring strawberries dusted with icing sugar and bitter herbal tea, with a hint of cinnamon. The finish lingers, though a shorter one might have been preferable.
Comments:
Unfortunately, this Glenmorangie Lasanta 12-year-old did not impress. While not entirely awful, it was far from enjoyable. The whisky felt overly diluted, and the wood influence was lacking in quality. Although Glenmorangie may not be my preferred style, this particular expression was quite disappointing.
Rating: 3/10
Glenmorangie 12-year-old Nectar d’Or 3rd Edition (2015) Review
The Glenmorangie Nectar d‘’’Òr 12-year-old was initially aged in ex-bourbon casks before being finished in Sauternes casks. The third edition, which I am sampling today, was bottled in 2015 at 46% ABV. It is unclear whether it was chill-filtered or if the colour is natural.
Colour:
Chestnut.
Nose:
Neat: Significantly more intense than the Lasanta. Aromas of apricots and peaches in honey, along with quinces and plums, create a bright and fruity profile with a well-balanced sweetness. Notes of lemon juice and custard follow.
Palate:
Neat: Again, more intense than the Lasanta. Flavours of custard with a hint of pepper, honey, strawberries, and apricot stone are prominent. There is some bitterness from herbal tea and wood, though less than in the Lasanta. Lemon juice, orange marmalade, and nutmeg round out the palate.
Finish:
Long and peppery, with lingering notes of honey and a touch of wood. Subtle hints of espresso and hazelnuts complete the finish.
Comments:
The Glenmorangie Nectar d’Òr 12-year-old (I’m curious about the accent on the ‘O’) is far superior to the Lasanta! It offers a better mouthfeel, likely due to the higher ABV and possibly the absence of chill filtration. The wood influence also seems to be of higher quality.