Glenmorangie 19 Year Finest Reserve

This sample was from a single cask 19 year offering for the Dubai Airport that was generously provided by @PBMichiganWolverine The nose is soft and airy starting with creme puff pastries, sautéed mangos and mild tea then light florals, honeycomb and dark chocolate followed by caramelized peaches, grilled pineapple and bananas that transitions to mild baking spices and polished oak with low ethanol burn. The taste is a thin to medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a mild spice that quickly fades to dark chocolate covered almonds and slightly bitter tea followed by caramelized peaches, grilled pineapple and bananas that transitions to mild baking spices and polished oak with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with creamy tropical fruits along with mild florals that then fade to mild baking spices and polished oak. Overall, this is a very enjoyable dram that the nose is soft and airy with a mixture of creamy tropical fruits, light honey and florals that carries over to the palate but the flavors are a bit thinner and slightly muted likely due to the low ABV of 43% that could have benefitted from a higher proof before finishing with sweet notes upfront with creamy tropicals and mild florals that fades to the background of mild earthy notes and barrel spices. Thanks so much for the sample @PBMichiganWolverine as I've never been able to try a single cask Glenmorangie before and just wish that they were able to bottle this above 46% as it would have intensified those wonderful flavors and really made this something truly incredible. It's still a delight to drink and one I'd happily drink anytime, especially in the summer months when cask strength offerings can be a bit too much.

Note: My bottle was a Dubai market exclusive single cask 19yr old—-but was too lazy to create a whole new SKU here. Ex-bourbon matured, 43% Golden straw in color. Nose is incredible…honey, waxy, nutmeg. Taste is elegant. You can tell there’s quality behind the cask. Warm honey, vanilla, a bit floral. I’m normally not a fan of Glenmorangie, but there are some exceptions I really love ( the last one was the Signet first batch). This falls in that category. The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was a slight heat of cinnamon at the end, but I’m being picky. Overall, great cask selection. And why this was for the Dubai market…who knows. @Richard-ModernDrinking @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington @pkingmartin And @ctbeck11 —-I sampled a dram while pouring this out for our tasting. Will be including this one.

Sample generously provided by @PBMichiganWolverine tasted side-by-side with the 18-year release. The color of the 18 is very slightly darker, but both are quite light in color. The nose on each is fairly indistinguishable from the other. If I had to say, I get the slighest bit more of brighter fruit on the 18. Both carry quite a bit of vanilla, coconut, pineapple, pear. The palate on both is fairly thin and understated. There's a bit more vanilla and spice on the finish of the 19, while the 18 finishes with a little dried fruit. They both seem to have smoothed out the slightly sour note I get from younger Glenmorangies. I would prefer both to be bottled at a higher proof, but both are nicely done and enjoyable whiskies.

NOSE Malty sweetness, Honey Nut Cheerios, dried orchard fruit, vanilla cake, citrus peels, oak and some bits of toffee and a light herbal touch with some baked goods… waffles? Fruity, pastry sweet and a tad earthy with a lingering note that makes me think of malty Belgian waffles. No syrup. PALATE Malty sweetness, cereal grain sweetness, Honey Nut Cheerios, citrus peels, roasted notes, oak, honey and dried orchard fruit with marzipan-like and herbal touches and again that Belgian waffle hint. It’s not a heavy note of waffles, but there is this continual “fringe note” of Belgian waffles that keeps coming up. FINISH Medium-long -> Dried orchard fruit, oak, HNC and…. waffles. With a touch of cinnamon.

This is a travel exclusive that I did not know existed until tonight, when Glenmorangie was pouring it at an event to mark the 10th anniversary of its Private Edition series. The 19 was there as a stand in for the Private Edition from 2013, the 19-year-old Elanta. This is a classic malty, creamy Highland whisky, well rounded, robust and long of flavor. Nothing flashy, just a very good Scotch that’s worth picking up if you ever stumble across a bottle.

The nose is welcomed by vainilla, caramel, honey, floral, and hints of cinnamon. On the taste, there is a sweetness, followed by honey, caramel, strong vanilla , and a hint of spices at the end. Very oily, the finish is long and smooth. I definitely recommend it, its a true winner at its price range