Review by: TOModera

I’m kinda speechless, for once. Review #70. This really blows me away. It seems like yesterday that I started posting. Though I better move on, otherwise I’m in the high grass of Nostalgia.

I decided that I needed to do something special for my 70th Scotch review. Awhile ago dustlesswalnut did me a solid and made an excellent trade, of which one part was the Glenmorangie Ealanta Private Edition 1993-2012. Thanks again, really appreciate it.

This whisky was aged for 19 years in Virgin American Oak barrels. This is typical for Glenmorangie, as they usually use American Oak barrels, however usually they are first fill. So for my 70th review, let’s see if I chose the correct Scotch to review.

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Distillery: Glenmorangie Distillery.

Bottler: Distillery Bottling.

Region: Highland.

ABV: 46%.

Age: Distilled in 1993. Bottled in 2012.

Cask type: Virgin American Oak barrels.

Price: N/A

Color: Stained Oak. Non-chill-filtered.

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Nose: Honey, peach, Christmas Pudding, marmalade, oak, raisins, lime, cranberry chutney, freshly cut grass, prunes, flowers, barnyard (think pig farm)

Lots of different smells here, and different than other Glenmorangie’s I’ve had. Gone are the constant fruit tones, which have evolved into better flavours.

Yep, this Ealanta is the Charizard to the Originals Charmander

Taste: Lime, chili, flowers, sour grapes, currant, red bell pepper, Mexican Hot Chocolate, cumin, brown butter, smoke, caramel, paprika

More earthy tones. So I guess I should have said Geodude before instead. Oh well. Lots and lots of spice in this one. Very hot, even for 46%.

Finish: Peach, mushroom, oak, curry, dry cherry, dried apricots, sour orange, pine smoke

Really, really dry ending. Like sand… monkey? Look, I’m over 30, I don’t know many Pokemon to keep up the joke. What I’m saying is this is super dry at the end. Kinda rough for me, though still nice.

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Conclusion: This is a dried, very complex, still fruity sweet Glenmorangie. You won’t be disappointed at all, as it’s very interesting and a great drink. This was well worth saving for the 70th review, as the complexity was amazing. Best Highland I’ve had.

Final Score: 87.

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.