Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish - 46%

From the Glenmorangie website

The Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish is the fifth release in the our Barrel Select series of small-batch single malts, which explores the flavours that arise from different cask finishes. 

Led by our acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, we craft our delicate, fruity spirit in stills as tall as a giraffe to allow more space for taste and aroma, then age it in the world’s finest casks.

Inspired to experiment, he took a whisky which had spent more than 10 years ageing in American white oak bourbon casks, for Glenmorangie’s elegant style. He transferred that whisky into casks which, for 20 years, had held Calvados du Pays d’Auge, from Normandy, in France.

Tasting notes

Appearance: The colour of oak aged Chardonnay, forms a thin line which falls slowly as thick, oily legs

Nose: Baked Bramley apples, honeysuckle, flowering jasmine and vanilla pods

Palate: Soft, creamy mouthfeel, floral, baked orchard fruit, mild bitterness and just a hint of pink peppercorns. With water it becomes more astringent with a mildly bitter Angelica note

Finish: Honey, black pepper and a slightly bitter herbal note

Overall: A lovely floral nose and a very pleasant mouthfeel, but for me there is a bitterness to the palate and finish which I didn’t enjoy. Not a whisky for me, but I’ve no doubt there will be plenty who really like it.

The price on the website at the time of writing is £75. For me, that seems a little on the high side, but that’s probably based more on my feelings about the whisky itself. As one of a series of small batch releases, it’s comfortably in line with current market prices for similar products.

If you would like more information on this whisky, or the Glenmorangie distillery, follow the link to the company website.