Review by: Terroir Chronicles
This is the Glenmorangie Tasting set. I’m fairly certain this is available in every retailer you visit, including JC Penny’s (not serious, but maybe?).
Distillery: Glenmorangie
Bottler: Glenmorangie
Region/style: Highland single malt Scotch
ABV: Varies 43% – 46%
Age: Varies (NAS; 10 – 14 years)
Cask type: Varies
Color: 1.4 tawny. Natural color. Non-chill-filtered.
Price: $30
Glenmorangie 10 (The Original) Bourbon Cask Matured 43%
Nose: Canned Mandarin orange slices, lemon pledge, vanilla pods.
Palate: Honey, heather, vanilla, and oak show up on the transition to finish.
Finish: Vanilla, honey, lemon peel, more oaky than anticipated. It tastes like I just licked a 2×4.
Final Score: 69
Glenmorangie 12 (The Lasanta) Finished in Sherry Cask 43%
Nose: Candied dates, initially confused with smoke, but deep sherry cask fruits. Worn leather & tobacco, much nicer than I anticipated!
Palate: Wow, excellent depth! Black currant, prune, and sherry cask seem well-aged—hot toddy-like transition to finish.
Finish: Salted fig, spiced vanilla pods, whisps of smoke from the sherry casks (smoke not to be confused with peat smoke, but lingering pipe-like scents).
Final Score: 76
Glenmorangie 14 (The Quinta Ruban) Finished in Ruby Port Casks 46%
Nose: Dark chocolate-covered raspberries, candied pecans, marzipan for days, and well-integrated oak.
Palate: Drier, unmistakable port cask musk, blackberry, and earth comingle, quick transition to rich dark chocolate and Turkish coffee. It has the faintest hint of sulfur (good way!) and is very nutty transitioning to the finish.
Finish: The spice from the wood comes across almost like a mint julep,
Final Score: 75
Glenmorangie (The Nectar D’or) Finished in Sauternes Casks 46%
Nose: Wow, what an adjustment, the complete opposite of the past two. Sweet white wine, sangria, lemon zest. This smells very similar to the 10, but with more ginger. I’m looking for tropical, but it’s much more white wine (imagine Reisling) than tropical. More floral notes.
Palate: White wine grapes for days, apple juice, boiled quince with star anise, transitions to tart white wine grapes.
Finish: Slightly unripened pears, Reisling, acidic, reasonably short, but the acidity remains.
Final Score: 74
Conclusion: I don’t want to pontificate here, so I won’t. These are fine malts for entry-level introductions, but beyond that, I wouldn’t recommend any of them. The 10, and surprisingly, the Nectar, are my least favorite. I say surprising for the Nectar because I enjoy anything in Sauternes. The ten tasted like raw oak often, and the Nectar was too bitter and acidic for my palate. The Lasanta and Quinta were the best two of the bunch, the sherry and port cask complemented their spirit nicely.
Buy again? Nope – nor would I have a bottle on my shelf. Glendronach 15 – 18 are better, in my opinion.
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.
Malt Runners 
