Glenmorangie 18 Year

Lemon pastries, with a touch of toffee on the nose. Very sweet with a decent amount of spice and a warm oily feel on the palette. The finish is disappointingly short and bland however, which is what really holds this whisky back the most in my opinion. There is also no sherry character to be found despite some of this whisky being aged in sherry for 3 years.

Nose: Sweetly fruity, but not overbearing – fresh and clean. Oranges and lemons and very faint pineapple with a whiff of boiled sweets, all held together by some very sophisticated oak which is also quite crisp. It's not a dense or particularly complex nose but it has the authority of maturity while still retaining the sprightliness of youth. Palate: A fruity, juicy citrus and apple arrival with some spice (ginger, mild cinnamon). As it develops the juicy citrus turns into mandarin, orange and apricot flavours with light honey. Like the nose it’s not particularly complex or robust but it is elegantly simple in the best way and has a pleasant creamy texture. Finish: Medium. It fades into light honey sweetness, but it isn't syrupy. The aftertaste has fresh, clean oak. A very smooth and enjoyable whisky with adroit handling of the sherry maturation. Certainly not a sherry bomb, but a showcase of good casks. Not at all a difficult whisky to appreciate but neither is it bland and there are hidden depths to explore. It develops very nicely in the glass where over time the nose blooms with pleasant oak aromas and the smooth juicy palate gains authority. There is a similarity in many ways to Glenfiddich 18 year old, but this is definitely superior. It is arguably the best, and most affordable, of the mild fruity style 18-year Speyside expressions. Recommended, particularly for newcomers who you want to encourage, but not challenge. Do not add water to this whisky. It does not need it, and water simply dilutes the experience without bringing out anything extra. "Very Good" : 85/100 (4 stars)