Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish 12 Year

Glenmorangie was one of the first single malts I ever had. It’s generally an entry point to single malt introduction, along with Balvenie or Glenfiddich. I’ve not had a Glenmo in ages, and for some reason, was in the mood for a simple down to earth non-peated single malt. This pour is courtesy of @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington This is nice. There’s an oiliness and fullness that I wasn’t expecting. And considering Malaga is a sweet wine, this really isn’t all that sweet. Fruit and oak are jousting for the limelight, neither taking the stage, Glenmo honey is there, but well balanced by some blackberry, peaches, and apricot. All wrapped in a graham cracker crust. This is a nice simple sipper. I’d gladly have a bottle on hand, and offer it to folks that are accustomed generally to bourbon. Don’t expect to be challenged or looking for life altering sips, it’s just a nice summer sipper at a good value and age statement. Thanks @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington for the pour!

The nose is rich and vibrant starting with a mix of balsamic strawberries, lemon curd and coconut macaroons then dark chocolate covered espresso beans and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by sour cherries, sautéed figs and blackberry jam that transitions to moderate baking spices and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium to full mouthfeel starting with creamy yet slightly sour red berries that quickly veers towards a moderate bitter spice that slowly fades to spicy dark chocolate mocha, honeycomb and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by blackberry pie, sour cherries and candied lemon peel that transitions to moderate baking spices and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length starting with creamy red berries, honey and light florals that slowly fade to the background of dark chocolate covered espresso beans, moderate black pepper spice and freshly lit pipe tobacco. At 47.4% ABV, this turned out to be a surprisingly rich whiskey that the nose leans dominantly towards mildly sour red berries but is underscored by creamy sweets and mild earthy notes that carries over to the taste that has a moderate spice throws off the balance before fading to allow those rich yet sour berries through along with a mild bitterness before finishing with bold and sweet berries with a light honey drizzled over the top that fade to mildly spicy yet sweet earthy notes. At $80 when these were first released, I think this would have been a perfect dram for anyone looking for a rich yet slightly spicy red berry dram, but at the secondary prices I'm seeing after a quick search, there's plenty of tasty drams I'd rather buy for much less. Thanks so much for sharing this one @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington

Cherry, citrus and chocolate notes with smooth finish and some spiciness in the mouth.