Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

On this week’s trip to the liquor store my wife wanted to get me a bottle of something.  Her father recently mentioned that he likes Glenmorangie and she wanted to buy me a bottle.

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I was going to get the 10 year Original but my budget allowed for the Quinta Ruben or Lasanta, both of which I’ve been curious about but never tried.  So after a heated round of eeny meeny miney moe Quinta it is.  Both are matured in American white oak casks for 10 years then transferred to wine casks, Quinta to port casks from Portugal and Lasanta in cherry casks from Spain.  Or, so says their web site.  In general I have been very impressed with Glenmorangie.  Mostly for how unbelievably smooth it is.  The several I’ve tried are complex in flavor but subtle and go down like water.  The Quinta is not typical of this description!  Interestingly it’s very strong, robust, and spice.  The aroma has spice, port and wood scents with a little citrus fruit.  The taste is very spicy and hot, with pepper and ginger.  But in addition to this you can taste fruit and nuts.  The aftertaste is a little sweeter and floral with nuts and bread flavor mixed in.  It’s spicy all the way down but a rich bouquet of fruits and other flavors.  This is a much richer Glenmorangie than others.  I liked it but I’d try the Lasanta and others in the Glenmorangie collection before getting another bottle.  The price was reasonable, $49, and it’s a bit stronger than a typical scotch at 46% abv.

Copyright 2016 David R Bergman

 

Glenfiddich 21 year

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Glenfiddich is not a member of my favorite flavor profile but I do like these scotches.  I’ve tried their 12, 15 and 18 year scotches but I’ve only reviewed the 12 year on this blog.  The thing that’s interesting about Glenfiddich is that each of these has a distinct flavor.  In a nut shell 12 year is apple and/or pear, 15 year honey, and 18 burnt wood.  I loved the 18 year when I had it the first time since I love smoky scotches.  So, I decided to treat myself to a bottle of 21 year.

If I had to give this a single word description it might be spicy candy.  Spice is definitely the most noticeable quality in this scotch.  The aroma is light with some citrus.  The flavor starts out light, becomes stronger in the mouth but is very smooth on the way down.  Not too sweet at all but a candy aftertaste, the toffy flavor is there but spice is stronger.  This is not a sweet tasting scotch.  Finally, there are hints of vanilla.  Very smooth, reminds me a bit of Balvenie Caribbean Cask and Dalmore King Alexander III.  The price was a mere $180, not bad.

Copyright 2016 David R Bergman