Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Year

Color: dark amber with a raspberry hint. Nose: spicy, tart cherry, malt, burnt caramel. Taste: alcohol forward (high ABV), fruit cake, caramel, muted flavors. Getting a touch of the bourbon and port after adding water, but it is background. Interesting but not fabulous for me.

Even bodied

An approachable golden red hue. The nose is rich and pleasant, but muted, as if you know there is something really good to smell but no matter how hard you sniff you just can't seem to catch it. Rich, sweet, oily texture draws saliva when held on the tongue. As the spirit touches the edges an immediate spicy burn blooms. A long spicy finish surprises what I would have expected to be dark and raisiny sweet from beginning to end. The port finish gives a very unique body and weight to this otherwise relatively young scotch, which I love. There is also more bite here than the standard 10-year. Cinnamon and clove in mulled cider. Yum.

Since I just reviewed the Tullibardine 228 and, in that review, mentioned this Glenmorangie, I thought I’d might as well review this one. Bottom line? Much too sweet for my tastes (which do not include port/burgundy finished scotch). The port overwhelms the scotch to the point you have to ask yourself, why not just have a damn port? If you like your scotch mostly scotch-less and more syrupy and overwhelmingly sweet, this is your scotch. Otherwise, avoid.

Strawberry jam, chocolate, Carmel, and spice are among the flavors that await you. Good value when compared to others in the same price range.