Here's one that takes me back - Glenmorangie Lasanta. You may have heard of Glenmorangie, they make a popular 10 year single malt that isn't hard to come by simply called "The Glenmorangie Original" (don't worry, I will eventually write about that). A few years back, I think around 2008, they had the brilliant idea of taking their famous 10 year whisky a step further by aging it an extra two years in various wine casks, calling it the "Extra Matured" line. The wine casks they chose were port, sherry, and sauternes. This resulted in the release of, in the same order, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, Glenmorangie Lasanta, and Glenmorangie Nectar D'or. Again, do not fret, those will most definitely be featured soon.
Back in 2008, when I managed a pub, a rep brought the three in for me to taste, knowing my insatiable appetite for new whiskies. I have to admit that, at the time, the Lasanta was my least favorite; I chose only to carry the other two. Seeing as that was 5 years ago (gasp!) and my palate has developed considerably since, I thought it might be time to give it another go. I also have to add that I was influenced by how sherry casks had affected other whiskies that I really enjoyed (mainly The Macallan 17 Fine Oak). I am glad I made this decision.
The whisky passed the visual test, a medium amber with medium legs; it met my own personal preferences (yours may be different and there is nothing wrong with that). I had made a critical error when tasting this, as I had chosen the wrong glass for the experience. You may recall my post about choosing the right glass. I failed to follow my own advice and chose a large, heavy tumbler with a widened opening. This forced me to cover most of the glass with my hand to direct the aroma my way. It is always fun to realize that you did something wrong, and that you do indeed know better already. Fortunately, it gave me a chance to remind everyone about the importance of choosing the right glass when enjoying whisky.
Once I found a way to bypass my own stupidity, I found that the nose was very smooth, no burn and with a strong aroma of sherry. That of course made sense, prior to bottling it had slept in a sherry cask for two years. I was also able to pull caramel out, and a sweetness that I couldn't quite define. The whisky tasted just as smooth as the nose, opening up a bit on my tongue with a spiciness coupled with a mild citrus. It was also sweet, which I mainly attributed to the influence of the sherry. It was not as thick as I had imagined, there was an ever-so-slight dryness to the feel. The aftertaste was strong and satisfying, lingering for quite a while.
Rating: 4.25 out of a possible 5 Casks
Reason: This is a very well-rounded whisky, very smooth in every stage, and affordable at around $40-$50 per bottle. The sherry can be a bit overpowering if you are not prepared, but I think that this is a great whisky, especially for summer. I would also say that this is a good lunch whisky, light enough, smooth enough for a glass in the daytime. The exceptional smoothness would also make this a good bottle for when you have guests over. This whisky does not limit itself to the connoisseur. The odds of finding it by the glass are low in my experience, but if you see it, treat yourself. Otherwise, I feel that you wouldn't go wrong to pick up a bottle.
Cheers, enjoy yourselves!
Charles
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