Glenmorangie 12 Year Old, Malaga Cask

This astonishingly sweet, rich whisky was personally selected by Dr Bill Lumsden. Honeyed and gently spiced, it is finished in casks which once held one of the world’s rarest fortified wines. The single malt’s fruity, fragrant spirit was distilled on Monday, 18th February 2008, closely watched by their acclaimed Distillery Manager. First it spent eight years in hand-picked American oak bourbon casks, gaining mellow, citrus notes. Then, Dr Bill chose a select parcel for a unique experiment with historic Malaga wine casks, from southern Spain. So rare they once faced extinction, finally, sourcing a tiny handful, he filled them with the whisky, imagining a multitude of sweet and syrupy tastes. Finished in their depths for four years, this single malt is everything he had hoped for. Threading citrus vibrancy with brown sugar, raisins and honey, it brings a new-found richness to Glenmorangie’s soft and creamy style.

Tasting notes:
Aroma: Sweet, rich scents of honey, mead, toffee and baking bread entwine with aromatic tea leaves. Then comes a subtle, perfumed top note of stewed herbs and red fruits, followed by milk chocolate hints. A splash of water releases wood incense, roasting chestnuts and muscovado sugar.

Taste: A rich, oily texture brings sultanas, raisins and dates bursting on to the palate. Mandarin orange, milk chocolate, honey and more brown sugar come to the fore, beautifully woven with vibrant citrus. Then cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and star anise emerge, before hazelnut, honey and gentle oak shine through in a long, mellow finish.