
March 26, 2018

Glenmorangie and Glenmorangie

There’s a newish Glenmorangie called Spios, let’s try it. But first, a sparring partner… Oh I think we haven’t tried the very French-sounding Nectar d’Or since quite a few years…

Glenmorangie 12 yo 'Nectar d'Or' (46%, OB, Sauternes finish, +/- 2017)

Actually, it seems that we last tried this one in 2011, while it wasn’t having any proper age statement yet (WF 86!). Colour: gold. Nose: I think I’m getting less Sauternes-ness this time, rather the usual soft sawdust, vanilla, croissant, sweet dough… Good, perhaps touches of apricots and light raisins? Nice, but rather more ‘in the middle of the road’ than expected. Mouth: ah, no, it’s sweet and it’s a touch winey, rounded, rather sexy, with good complexity, raisins, ripe mirabelles and other sweet plums, damsons, apricot jam… In theory, I shouldn’t like this too much, but in all reality and honesty, I do. I think it’s extremely well made. Finish: medium, perfectly balanced, without anything cloying or too sweet. Comments: perhaps just a tad less complex than the early batches, but that’s not unseen in Scotland, is it.
SGP:551 - 85 points.

Glenmorangie ‘Spios’ (46%, OB, Private Edition 9, 2018)

NAS and a rye finish, that’s the thing these days. The Spice Girls have been a thing as well. Hold on, it is not a rye finish, it was fully matured in rye casks! But 100% rye, or just ‘American rye whiskey’? Not too sure… Never mind… Colour: straw. Nose: relatively light, bready, pastry-like, with touches of menthol and caraway. Hints of broken branches as well. I had thought this would be much bigger, but it’s rather whispering, which isn’t obligatorily a bad thing in my little book. Mouth: it’s coherent, sweet, certainly not ‘spicy’ as such – but we’ll check that in the aftertaste – and rather on maple syrup and mirabelle liqueur. The Nectar d’Or was rather bigger, to give you an example. I find it easy and indeed, well made. Finish: medium, rounded, with a little caramel, more mirabelle jam, and a very discreet spiciness. Comments: frankly, I like this. It’s uncomplicated, it’s not quite my style, but its got this huge drinkability that’s clearly an asset. In Alsatian we would say that it’s very ‘süffig’. A draw.
SGP:551 - 85 points.

Check the index of all Glenmorangie we've tasted so far