Tastes

It has a surprisingly light, fruity nose with still a richness suggesting malt and long, slow aging. There are hints of tropical fruits on the nose that remind me of Westward and funky rum. Ultimately, it smells quite nice, though there isn't anything particularly neat on the nose. The palate has some great fruity sweetness that is beautifully executed and makes my mouth water. There's some delightful lemon mixed with sweet apricot. If it were just that fruitiness, this could be a unique and delightful success, but alas there is also mildewed bread. Still. It holds up even with that gross bread flavor. There are some spices that come along with it and some robust black licorice surprisingly comes out. This is so, so much richer and more candy-like than Glenfiddich Grand Cru. It has that problematic flavor though. It has an interesting composition of flavors, but they never come into balance. The licorice and numbing cardboard are quite strong, yet there isn't the underlying barrel flavor or rich fruit to support them. It doesn't taste more than 18 years old - and even that would be pushing it. This is definitely better than the Glenturret 28 and I'd be happy to drink this, but I'd rather drink something like Port Charlotte 10 or Glenfarclas 25 any day - regardless of the price. There are some mild Sherry cherry notes in here eventually that make this a little bit more interesting at least. Sadly, I don't think this quite rises to the quality of 15. It's interesting, but I think I'm terms of raw quality this is more of a 14. There are some nice hints of sweet apricot, but they really aren't enough to make up for the cardboard and general weirdness.

This nose has some harsh alcohol, but it also has some nice hints of citrus and cherry. The palate is sweet and fairly full with some nice sea spray backing. It has that nice high-proof warmth and sweetness. The sweetness, sea spray, and wood here are very nicely presented. This is different from but also better than Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve. It's a very enjoyable sipper. There's some really nice butterscotch going on here. The spice relative to the Longmore 15 gives it a bit of a kick, but it's a nice one. This isn't an excessively sweet drink but it has some nice sweetness to it and a lot of elements going on. If say it's better than the Longmorn 15 but a clear margin. There's some nice wood in here that reminds me a bit of Glenfarclas with its dryness and assertiveness. There's also some nice mild red fruit. There's a lot going on and all of the flavors are quite good. I think I'll need to try this again because it's really good. The balance is fantastic and the minerals don't overwhelm. There's tones of complexity and it's very enjoyable to sip. What a great drink. This is substantially stronger than Strathisla 12 (Chieftain's) in a nice Glenfarclas way. It's a great drink. There are a lot of flavors in here that pronounce "scotch!". There is a nice balance that gives several elements their chance to shine. It's a bit rough compared with Macallan 15 in terms of integration, but the flavor is very good and the finish is nice. There is vanilla, sea spray, fresh apple, a little strawberry, some richness from the barrel, and an appropriate amount of sweetness. The hint of smoke is just enough to add some scotch depth here. There are some issues with the integration and the bitterness that hangs out there, but there is enough flavor and complexity to make this a great scotch. Following the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14, the nose has more seaside presence and might be a tad less sweet, but it's also a bit less smoky. The palate is a harsher with a spicier bite. There's more of a sugar syrup flavor - or rather, there's less strawberry in the syrup flavor. There's a fair amount swirling around here, though I wouldn't say that there is more than in the Quinta Ruban 14. Additionally, the lack of additional flavor in the syrup stand out more. There's still some smoke and vanilla and salt. It still has some nice umami. I'm not sure whether it's better than Springbank 10 though. It has a terrific base to its flavor, but it's a bit light. It's a bit better than Oban 14 in how it avoids sickly sweetness, though it is still sweet. Despite being a bit on the light side, the balance is quite good. This is a very well executed scotch that could use some more oomph. The spiciness is essential in counterbalancing the sweetness.

Begins sharply with citrus fruit and honey. Has a rich body but minimal development. There is no peat presence, so it comes off a bit bland. It has a more playful vibe than most whiskies, with a nose that is faintly like lemon meringue pie. Definitely has a dessert vibe going on (though that's generally the case with Glenmorangie).

There sure is alcohol on the nose. There's some lemon too along with some yeast and grass. It might be a refreshing nose, but it isn't a very enjoyable one. The palate is really interesting with a big clover honey flavor that is thinned and mixed with a lot of vanilla. It's super floral and so quite tart with a yeasty breast quality similar to brioche. Brioche with candied lemon peel and a bunch of vanilla is definitely the vibe I get. It's interesting, but that's mostly just because it's different. It's a solid enough sipper and I think it's better than. The regular Glenmorangie The Original, but not by a ton. The candied lemon brings in a bit of artificial flavor. It also lacks the complexity and smoothness of Tullibardine 13 Brandy. Yeah, it sure tastes young and kind of too sweet like candy. Like candy mixed with alcohol. It's moderately smooth, but not as smooth as Tullibardine 13 Brandy by a long shot. Something just tastes a bit off - young. It works, but I'm not a fan. The mouthfeel is moderate. It's a 23 to 14. I think 14 is probabaly right and the original is probably a 13. Yeah. I wouldn't say that I'm enjoying drinking this.

Rich and sweet with raisin and chocolate notes throughout. This is a remarkably smooth Scotch. Orange and spices also make appearances. It is reminiscent of the holidays. As a whole, this is a great Scotch, but it is hard to justify at its high price. The thing is, for a Scotch as expensive as this one, there needs to be something that really stands out about it and makes it different from being just an upgraded version of another drink with a bit of a twist. There's a surprising licorice presence here that is probably the result of combining chocolate and raisins. It's definitely good, though the strong ABV does come through and it has a dry finish. There is sweetness, but also lots of bitterness. It isn't particularly harsh and the spices that are present are well-balanced and minimal. Better than Glengoyne 15? A bit. Worth the massive price difference. Not really. I actually like the Glenmorangie 18 better. The finish is dry, but also rich and creamy. Quite good, but not really amazing. I wish there were more interesting elements here. This is a really good drink. I'm not a fan of the sawdust flavor, but the espresso and dark chocolate are quite appealing. The sweetness of dates is nice and the hints of orange and apricot really build this drink up. It is supremely rich with a nice amount of complexity. Some spices stand out too and the flavors are all balanced. There is more going on here than in the Macallan Rare Cask and the flavor is really good once the sawdust drops out. It's an excellent drink that unfortunately has the price tag of an excellent drink. The spices, fruit, chocolate, wood, vanilla, and other complexifiers produce a wonderful drink here. Maybe it isn't quite the greatest and is hard to justify at its price point, but this is really good Scotch.

Robust flavor off the bat, with a rich bread presence and a faint bit of caramel, a bit like a morning bun. No smoke is present, but there is a little brine. Less tart and more smooth than the Astar. Not super lively, but suitably complex and interesting. There are not many other Scotches like this one, so it is difficult to compare. I'd say that it is playing the same game as the Glenmorangie Astar, but better. It is playing a different game than the Glenmorangie Signet, but at a similar level. Glengoyne 15 is competing with Glenmorangie 18, but is not as good. At the end of the day though, I'd rather have a Glenmorangie 18 and a Glengoyne 15 than a Glenmorangie Signet and it would be a whole lot cheaper. That said, while the depth of the Glenmorangie 18 is impressive and worth appreciating, Glenmorangie the Original is sweet and full as well at a third of the price, so maybe get something with a different character and some of the cheaper Glenmorangie as a staple. What is amazing is how creamy and smooth this drink is, with no off notes either. It's no Highland Park 18, but it is darned good. Against the Compass Box Spice Tree, this is evenly matched, but its finish is very good, so in a tie it pulls ahead. The Spice Tree, on the other hand, is filled with potentially, and those wishing to take a bet should give it a chance. Rich and lemony with a viscous caramel flavor. Some salt and hints of brine come through toward the finish, along with an increased tartness, but the balance remains superb. The depth is terrific, but I do wish there were more nuance over time. I think I still prefer the Compass Box Spice Tree, but this is quite a fine drink. Highland Park 18, of course, is still a fair amount better with its deep, rich, robust, varied, and well-rounded flavor. Citrus, mineral, coconut, and a bit of cream. It's quite good, but could use some improvement. The nose isn't very interesting. Citrus vanilla, malt, a bit of spice. It isn't very strong though and some alcohol comes through. The palate is much better with rich vanilla, coconut wood up front. There's a bit of alcohol harshness, but it isn't too bad. The rich, mellow coconut vanilla flavor is very nice. It certainly tastes like an older Glenmorangie The Original. It's floral and fruity with tartness and rich, nutty sweetness. I'm quite happy drinking it, but it really just has the sweet nuttiness going for it - otherwise, the flavors are pretty standard in quality, though they fit well. There's a definite lemon flavor in here and while there are also hints of orange and tangerine, the lemon is a bit off-putting. There's some brown sugar/butterscotch sweetness. It's harsher than I would like. I could take or leave this one, unfortunately. There's decent complexity, but the flavors don't quite come together in a way that appeals to me. I maintain my rating of 17.

The nose is rich and sweet with a ton of cherry and strawberry. It smells like a much richer, more robust, and better Grangestone Sherry. The palate is rich and sweet with a big red fruit presence, especially strawberry. It reminds me a little bit of Glendronach 15 with its rich hints of leather and a fair bit of Oban Little Bay. For its price, those are good things to be compared to. It's hedonistic and well-executed with a nectar sweetness. I'd love to try an older, richer offering, but as it is, this is a really nice release. It tastes a bit too sweet like the La Santa, but it's terrifically hedonistic and easy to sip. It's hard to place the additional subtleties, but they are lurking there beneath the surface. There's just enough smoke to keep it rich, bringing in hints of coffee. The rich backing with toasty notes and other rich flavors is what keeps this alive. Aside from being a tad sweet, nothing is wrong here. Even with the sweetness, this is very good. The various flavors churn together, constantly bringing out new dimensions. The high(ish) ABV really helps this to have a robust taste in spite of its sweetness. It still tastes a bit weak, but that's following Joseph Magnus, so the comparison is tough.

Dry and surprisingly harsh with strong flavors of dark chocolate and mint. There is not a ton of depth or variation in this scotch and only the faintest hint of sweetness is present. Would not recommend; tastes more like a $30

Has more depth and is less harsh than the Quinta ruban with a decent balance of wood and Sherry. Tastes just a tad like cough syrup, but I still appreciate it. That said, it could be argued to be better than the original Genmorangie due to it's added deptg, but is definitely inferior to the Nector D'Or because of it's cough syrup flavor. It isn't bad scotch, but at this price, one might as well upgrade or downgrade ever so slightly to get the best bang for one's buck.