Glenmorangie Lasanta Sherry Cask Finish 12 Year

Spicy, a tad harsh.

The nose on this spirit was excellent. Even after the glass was dry, I couldn’t help breathing in its fragrant residue. Besides the sherry inspired fruitiness (Oloroso & PX), there was something else there I couldn’t put my finger on. Once the glencairn was warmed it revealed itself and memories from the past came gushing forward. A big pile of empty wooden Zinfandel and Muscato grape boxes from our old wine making days. They produced a slightly moldy fruitiness that would fill the air in the back yard. The number 17 also came to mind, and something I hadn’t thought about in years; the number of bushels necessary to fill a 50 gallon barrel. In tasting, the whisky washed over the tongue very nicely with a viscosity/specific gravity that seemed thinner than a 43% ABV should, and making it very easy to drink. To the taste, the zesty fruitiness carried forward with a mostly dry delivery, and just a tiny pinch of sweetness. I also caught a brief glimpse of vanilla that got quickly pushed aside. The finish was crisp and clean as it should be. I thought this whisky was excellent but somewhat one dimensional. Word to the wise, even a few drops of water seemed to diminish this temperamental spirit. An ice cube will turn the finish bitter.