Glenmorangie Spìos

Release number 9/10 of the now complete Glenmoramgie Private Collection. It’s the only one I managed to nab, though I think I can still get my hands on the Allta. Either way, this one is a cool get. Aged exclusively ex-rye barrels, I think that’s a personal first as for as Scotches go. Let’s check it out. Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, and butterscotch. Almond. Apple, pear, and apricot. Orange citrus. Black licorice. Black pepper, clove, nutmeg, a touch of rye spice, and oak. Palate: Apple, pear, and apricot. Banana. White grape and red grape. Golden raisin and fig. Orange citrus. Vanilla frosting, caramel, milk chocolate, and toffee. Brown sugar. Almond and macadamia. Floral notes. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Vanilla, caramel. Gala apple, pear, and apricot. Orange citrus. Vanilla, sugar cookie, milk chocolate, and toffee. Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Moderate length finish, bordering on long. This was a great find. I was late to the party on getting this one when I found it a couple years back, and it was absolutely worth the purchase at $90. It’s a balanced profile yet earns its name as the spicy release in the edition. Ex-rye cask Scotch was a great idea. I forget what the Allta’s schtick was, but this was good enough to warrant a purchase on sight and find out later. 4.5/5.

Another bottle unavailable... Don't save...enjoy! This one wasn't impressive in the private label line-up, but overall a solid Scotch.

I really enjoy this one. Classic Glenmorangie with a nice punch of spice and mint. Very enjoyable. Not too many left on the shelves now but grab one if you see it.

NOSE Honey, orchard fruit, spice, buttery graham, tangerine, vanilla, Fun Dip and a bit of frosting and malt. Baking spice slowly goes from amorphous to cinnamon and nutmeg lead as it opens. PALATE Dried orchard fruit, baking spice, graham, malt, banana, cocoa and a bit of oak, tobacco and a slight herbal character. Fruity and spicy in a way that does remind me, a bit, of a young rye whiskey. FINISH Medium -> Apple heavy fruit, malt, cocoa, spice and oak. But not like a bourbon oak, but like a small-barrel-craft-rye-whiskey kind of oak.

Color: Wildflower nectar. Nose: Cinnamon bread or coffee cake, with a soft accent of citrus blossoms. Palate: More citrus, sweet orange, along with light rye spice. Brown sugar and vanilla sit on top of the fruit. Finish: Wet barrel with sweet rye. Almost too gentle. Diluted: More malted barley with steonger fruit and floral tones. Palate is a sweeter dreamsicle, but lighter as well. Finish is very delicate, with classic oak notes and a little honey.