Booze of the Week
Glenmorangie 10 year old Original single malt scotch whisky is the Booze of the Week. This one is difficult for me to review as it is my first ever single malt scotch. While I cannot compare it to other single malts, I can analyze it from a drinker’s perspective.
It is incredibly smooth both in taste and in aroma but there is very little in the way of identifiable components. It is a fairly pale liquor in both appearance and taste. I am really unable to identify any particular flavors in it. This may be due to my lack of experience with scotch or it may be that bourbons tend towards a bolder taste (although that is not my understanding). Glenmorangie tends near the top of everyone’s list for a ‘starter scotch’ and its mild flavor is a likely reason.
It is good. What flavor it has is pleasant if undefinable by me. It is extremely easy to drink either straight or with a little ice or with a little soda water. I don’t feel I can honestly review this scotch yet due to my lack of experience. I can’t recommend that you pick it up or that you should avoid it. What I can say is that I do not feel that I paid too much for it. It is a nice liquor and its easy to drink. If someone offers you some or you see some at your local drinking establishment, by all means give it a try. I feel that it was a good purchase and a gentle introduction to scotch whisky.
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The Glenmorangie is not bad…not bad at all. I drink it occasionally – at about $40 (Virginia ABC) it is a less expensive single malt option. In fact, the only single malt worth drinking that does cost less is the Mcclelland Highland, and that is only a hair better than a good blend (if it’s better at all). The only reason I drink Mcclelland from time to time is that at VABC, it is the only single malt you can get in a large format, but I digress….
Regarding taste – I find Glenmorangie to be on the sweeter side. I recollect a touch of honey and vanilla notes and a distinct lack of smoke that you might encounter with some Islay choices. My criticism comes from lack of body. If you compare the Glenmorangie to some others that I would consider a little sweeter, it just doesn’t have the body and mouth feel (insert dirty joke here) that the others have. Compare to Glenfiddich 15 yo Solera Reserve, or the Balvenie 12 yo Doublewood and you’ll see what I mean. These two are very complex and flavorful, both on the sweeter side (to me) and both have a really heavy body that I’ve come to enjoy.
This is a simple – that is, not complex at all – scotch. Very approachable. I like it best with a few ice cubes – once it is a little watered, the scant honey/vanilla flavors do start to emerge.
Review more scotch!!!
I second Harry’s comments. Although primarily a bourbon man myself, I loves me some single malts, too. Glenfiddich, of course; and The Balvenie is a favorite. We also keep some Oban and Laphroaig around.
You’ll find with single malt scotch distinctly different tastes depending on the region: Islay, Campbellton, Lowland, and Highland (with its sub-regions of Speyside and Island). They can range from light to heavy, sweet to not-so-much, and some so peat-smoky you’d think you just smoked a cigar.
It’s a lifetime endeavor to explore them all.
Thankfully.
Oh, yeah, and be aware that if you get hooked on the high-end marques, you’d best have the income of a Saudi oil sheik to support your habit.
Not bad, not great. My first choice is going to be Aberlour, preferably the Abunadh. A bit pricey on the bottle but at cask strength, you have to add water 1:1 which makes it reasonable based on volume. Add a bit of ice to make it cool but not too much so that the flavors release. The flavors change a bit with each batch. Since the establishments don’t carry it, I’ll typically get a Glenlivet or Macallen instead. Guess I’m partial to Speysides. I don’t like the peaty Scotches.
I do intend to stay in the scotch section for as long as I can afford.
/nod ..Glenmorangie,,,is the best!!! I have five different finisheshed in my chest.
I’m a Cragganmore fan myself, but I tend to the peaty, smack you in the face Scotch. Laphroaig and Oban are also on my favorites list.
The McCallan may be more to your liking. As the Ethereal One said, from highland to lowland, it would take a lifetime to try them all.
Glenmorangie is exceptionally pale, far more like a blended whisky–which, as you know, is for people who can’t handle the truth.
And yes, there is no “e” in Scot’s Whisky.
I’m more of a Cragganmore kind of guy as well, but Dalwhinnie’s no stranger to my shelf. Catto’s is probably the best blended malt I’ve ever bought, but that’s just because I got turned off blends by some cheap shit years back. Now I know better.
If you ever find yourself jonesing for a glass of iodine, try some Talisker. That’ll get your attention right quick.
Oh, I almost forgot…..buy a quaich. If you’re gonna drink scotch, you may as well do ‘er right.
[...] of you off immediately. It shouldn’t however. It isn’t a terribly light scotch like the Glenmorangie or the Glen Moray. There’s a lot of flavor here without a harsh edge. I’ve only tried [...]