Glenmorangie Single Estate Limited Release 15 Year Scotch Whiskey - 750ml

FFrom Glenmorangie's Cadboll Estate range, which is made using single-estate barley, Batch No.2 comes aged for 15 years in x-Bourbon casks. A short drive from the distillery itself, Glenmorangie’s 440-acre Cadboll Estate produces just enough of their own unique strain of barley for no more than two weeks production per year. Time and care goes into making sure the barley is exactly to spec. Dr Bill Lumsden comments, “The Cadboll Estate barley brings an extra creaminess to our delicate, fruity spirit. For those of you who do not live in the Highlands – in other words, most of you – enjoying our Cadboll Estate whisky is the next best thing to being here.”

Each batch release reflects the subtle changes in the barley crop. Taste wise, Batch 2 pretty much does what the label says. From the soft, vanilla tea biscuit and waxy orange peel aromatics to the elegant, American oak driven palate that adds dried coconut and wood shavings to the profile, it delivers a whisky in typical 'Morangie style. On the down side, at just 43%, it's neither as intense or well-defined as younger releases like Astar and there is a touch of bitter cocoa combined with a slightly acidic, spirity feel thinning out the finish, also detracting from the length.

Notes

A full and fruity nose with orange and honeyed apricots. Creamy vanilla candy, toasted almonds and a hint of coconut and sugared almonds. With a few drops of water more floral notes of orange blossom, jasmine and heather come to the fore.

Taste

A rich, smooth silky texture is followed by a burst of sweet fruity flavours - poached pear in syrup, apricot and zesty lemon. Ginger & cinnamon spices sizzle and are tempered with a cooling mentholic freshness.

Finish

There is a long lingering finish, with layers of orange oil, toasty oak and eucalyptus.