Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Cask Finish 12 Year

58.95 at ABC

Dried fruit (figs, raisins) on the nose and palate, and pleasantly chewy mouthful from the PX finish. The sweetness and spice are balanced nonetheless, as gentle malt and light honey notes manage to find their place. Relatively short finish compared to other sherried whiskies I have tried, but overall complex in an non-overwhelming way.

Part 2 of the Glenmorangie Pioneering Collection Sample Pack. Please note that this is not the same as the original version of the Lasanta, which was 46% ABV and finished in Oloroso Sherry casks only. The Lasanta is the same 10 YO original whisky, but is matured an extra 2 years in a combination of Oloroso and Pedro Ximenex Sherry casks. It is 43% ABV and is non chill filtered. Unfortunately colorant has been added, but like the original, I think it is only to keep the batches the same color. This one is a beautiful butterscotch amber in color. The nose is very pleasant. Sweet dried sherried fruits greet you up front. Red berries, figs and raisins. Light brown sugar notes. Oranges, floral honey. Given some extra time in the glass I get some light maple syrup and roasted nuts. On the palate there are more of the sweet sherried fruits. Slightly burnt brown sugar and oranges. There is a light spice coming in at the end from the oak and some nuttiness. The palate is unfortunately a bit of a letdown. The flavors are all there but lacking in intensity. It's good but not great. The mouthfeel was a bit unexpected. Somewhat thin and quite dry. The finish is medium length, sweet but again it's dry. Some lingering fruits and a touch of spice. I'm not really sure how I feel about this Glenmorangie. I really like the nose. It's sweet but not too sweet and has a fair amount of complexity. The palate just leaves me wanting a little bit more. The finish was a little too short. I wish this was still the original version of Lasanta, I feel the extra 3% and cask selection would have made for a better whisky. I think this is friendlier than the Macallan 12 YO Sherry wood and I would pick this one over the Macallan to stock my shelf to offer to my friends who aren't big whisky drinkers. For the price it's still a hell of a scotch. 3.75-4 Review is a few months old from Barreled