Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year

Light burn in beginning dissipates quickly to a smooth finish.

Cocoa, orange, sweet corn, oak, honey, caramel, malted barley, oily.

Since this is a single malt, the mash bill is 100% sprouted barley. It's an 86 proof whisky, it's 10 years old, and a fifth cost me $39.99 at the Uptown location of Total Wine. NOSE: Immediately there's a strong dose of citrus, which sorts itself out into orange marmalade, navel orange peel, lemons, and kumquats. Then there's a sour note, which surprises me by being, if not pleasant, at least not disgusting (I hate sour whisky). After this comes a faint apple note, a slight saltiness, and a hint of smoke (no doubt from the used bourbon barrels this whisky ages in). MOUTHFEEL: Silky. TASTE: Orange slices (the candy, not the actual fruit), sweet tea, lemonade, table salt, table sugar, and oak. FINISH: Medium, with notes of orange slices and oak. SUMMARY: This is good stuff. I expect barley whisky to be fruity, but the definite citrus notes in this juice are a surprise. This is worthy every penny I paid, and perhaps more. RATING: 7 (of 8) mighty fine 4.375 stars 87.5/100 8.75/10