LeeEvolved
Glenmorangie Astar 2017 Edition
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
April 21, 2018 (edited April 21, 2021)
""""** Disclaimer: This review is what I would consider a “Quick Hit”- meaning I won’t have my usual in-depth notes that I usually like to take. The reason: this sample was poured at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. All of these reviews will not be scored and I am actively looking to try them again at some point to do them more justice.
This is another malt that wasn’t listed on the official pour list, so when I saw it I immediately snagged a taste while chatting with the Glenmorangie/Ardbeg rep, Clarke Boyer, about how this new version compares to the old 2008 bottling. I echoed his sentiments upon tasting the new stuff. I had a pour of the original about a month ago at a bar here in Richmond and found it to be fantastic, especially on the nose.
The 2017 release tries very hard to reproduce the nose, but fell just a tiny bit short IMO. The palate was okay- plenty of oak and vanilla, while imitating almost every other GM I’ve had at this point. It’s pretty smooth but lacks much depth. There’s complexity and florals on the nose, but the palate doesn’t really deliver (unlike the 2008 version- it was wonderful). This one plays well on the nose and had a respectable finish, I just wish it had a little more depth on the palate. All that said, it’s still close to a 4-star dram and one of my favorite Glenmorangie’s to date.
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@PBMichiganWolverine - who’s Joan? I think the original Astar is my favorite GM. We also got a chance to try the Signet and I loosely ranked that as my 10th favorite dram at the festival (don’t take the rankings with any seriousness- it was just a way to count backwards for my quick reviews, lol). I enjoyed Lasanta and Quintan Ruban for what they were. I think the 10yo and Nectar are rubbish. I’d put the Signet in between the 2 versions of the Astar, with the original bottle being the best.
@LeeEvolved. I think I have the original 2008 version. One day, will be interesting to do a side-by-side. Joan would you rate this compared to their other special releases? ( astar, lasanta, etc?)