Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask Finish 14 Year

non-chill filtered dark chocolate & tangerines on nose berries, nutmeg, choc & orange long bold finish

Taken straight from the description, the nose does have strawberry in it. It’s not overly sweet in any way. I don’t get the almond notes but I’m trying.

I ranked this second in a blind tasting of the six finalists for the Whisky Exchange whisky of the year in December and was shocked when it turned out to be the new version of the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. I’m not a huge fan of the distillery and rated the previous version of this whisky just two stars, so sickly did I find it, but this 14-year-old edition is a revelation. It leads off with a surprising amount of strawberries on the nose, tastes silky sweet in the mouth — the strawberries joined by a syrupy cream — and finishes pleasingly tart. Alongside Signet and the 19, it joins the exclusive club of Glenmorangies I would be happy to have at home.

What long necks? This ain't no honey as expected from the 10 + 4 Quinta Ruban (the original plus some finishing) nor as refined as should come from those long necked stills. A solid Glenmorangie any day of the week.

The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask 14 year is another GM10 American Oak rendition. The spirit is transferred from the American Ok to Ruby Port casks for four years. The noticeable deviation from the standard is the color/hue which is deeper darker and different. Color: the reddish hue makes Themis normally light and golden color, dark amber with a subtle redness to it. The light hardly makes a difference here the amber/red color has a rogue mystique; the lines are think and slow to run, which should be a welcome heavier mouthfeel and long finish. Nose: the wood notes from the ruby barrel are present and forward, underneath that aroma is a dried cherry/strawberry note, the notes develop further into the glass with bold woody and vanilla aromas overtake the lighter fruit notes. The medium intensity of the aromas can be slightly off putting and the cask/wood smells are heavy and influential an multiple levels. Palate: the briny woody/malted grain really comes through, with a noticeable spice (cardamom) that comes to mind. The vanilla sweetness is subdued and the subtle notes of fruit are not as inviting as pleased. The long finish adapts and becomes sweeter between drinks, it’s welcoming and bright notes of dried strawberries come to mind, the flavor is noticeable but sorta muted. The mouth feel is heavier but the weighted liquid feel nice on the mid palate to the finish. Anything developed from the OG10 Glenmorangie really can’t disappoint—the Ruby casks elements are heavily influential and noticeable changes and develops the spirit in the a well-balanced pour vs other GM entries, but at double the price of the OG it doesn’t quite deliver, but it’s very enjoyable to say the least. — “the scotch guy