BeppeCovfefe
Reviewed
September 29, 2020 (edited March 20, 2021)
Ladys' and Gentlement, LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE, in one corner wearing the green trunks, we have the 10 year bourbon cask and 4 year Quinta port cask finish 14 year Glenmorangie. In the opposite corner, wearing the black trunks, we have 12 year, 10 in bourbon, 2 in Quinta port, Glenmorangie. Winner to be determined by Judge Beppe, (barring a knockout).
Before the opening bell, I note the much deeper almost burnt amber red color of the 14 year. Apparently that extra 2 years imparts a grand deep cherry hue while the 12 year does show off a nice copperish gold glow, think Pam Anderson after a summer in the sun, gold. Yet the 14 year really lives up to it's Ruby tag in appearance, the 12, not so much.
Nose
12y Straight forward or port forward if you prefer, the sweet red fruit riding just on top of the malt base. Really delicious if slightly acrid.
14y The sweet red is dialed back just a notch, as is the malt, just a bit more delicate and less acrid, it's almost a perfect balancing act between the two wine and scotch players.
Win for the nose, by a nose, goes to the 14, but the rich almost wanton character of the 12 is nothing to overlook. This could easily be a split decision.
Front
14 From the tongue tip to the back and sides the malt mineral acridity never really develops until the very end, only then does this feel like scotch, in between I get a warm meade like oiliness that just floats along a barley river.
12 Washing with some cold H20 to get the salt out of the eyes, the front port is forward but the malt vinegar is far more in your face and the fine balancing act is lost. The 12 year is a bit more of a brute than a predator and we don't know what might have happened in the 10 year cask but that could well be part of it.
The 12 finishes with the big grape sugar giving way to a hot chocolate pepper and nib bitterness, the 14 is going to win here again as the bitter final tail is far less pronounced and the 14's honey smooth middle hangs on much longer.
Winner: 14 year
The 14 year wins but not with heavy slugging upper cuts, it's more like sugar ray, side stepping and dancing while jabbing to a slow footed 12 rocky who, even with all the heart in the world, can't keep up, missing with hay makers and clumsily punching air. The 12 year really never had a chance in this one though it made a good showing.
Verdict, for me the 12 year is a nice scotch I can say yes to, but not really care if I ever get another, the 14 is next level in refinement and really makes me want to keep going. I think Glenmorangie deserves a good nod for making the choice in adding the 2 years as this makes a notable and decidedly well done difference. This seems to fall right in line with the decade plus aged 50 dollar scotch. Just remember you want the green label here! Cheers!