Reviews

Glenmorangie Milsean Single Malt Scotch Review
Photo courtesy of Glenmorangie.

Photo courtesy of Glenmorangie.

The seventh and latest entry to Glenmorangie’s Private Edition line is Milsean.  This limited edition non-age statement (NAS) expression, bottled at a healthy 46% abv, begins with Glenmorangie matured in ex-bourbon casks.  The whisky is then transferred to deeply toasted wine casks for a secondary maturation lasting several years.  Dr. Bill Lumsden, head of distilling and whisky creation for Glenmorangie, set out to make a whisky that reminded him of the sweets available in a traditional confectioner’s shop.  The packaging is even reminiscent of candy stripes.  Of the new expression, Lumsden said:

“A glass of Glenmorangie Milsean transports me straight to an old-fashioned sweet shop with its sweet and spicy bouquet, with hints of sugar cane, ripe fruits and fudge. Extra-maturing Glenmorangie in heavily toasted red wine casks for the first time, has allowed us to create a whisky recalling a bygone era.”

The wine casks used for secondary maturation previously contained Portuguese red wine.  Toasting these casks caramelized the wine sugars as well as wood sugars from the barrel.  These casks were involved in a “pioneering experiment” before being used for this new expression.

Let’s take a look at how this new Glenmorangie expression tastes.

Glenmorangie Milsean

The nose is full of sweet, ripe fruit, brown sugar and delicate spice.  Deep down is a touch of salted toffee alongside a hint of wine.  Overall, the aroma isn’t overly sweet, but comes across as slightly richer than Glenmorangie’s standard 10-year-old expression.  On entry, cinnamon candy tingles the tongue, followed by caramelized fruit, vanilla ice cream and citrus (which comes across as those chewy orange candies).  It brightens up a bit towards the end of the mid-palate.  The finish starts off spicy, then develops into refreshing tropical fruit and slightly astringent oak.

This is the sample kit I received. It contains a 100mL sample bottle, a Glenmorangie-branded nosing glass, and a USB drive filled with photos and product information.

The sample kit I received contained a 100mL sample bottle, a Glenmorangie-branded nosing glass, and a USB drive filled with photos and product information.

The press materials paint this whisky as one that’s extremely sweet.  Instead of saccharine sweetness, Glenmorangie Milsean exhibits caramel richness, fruity sweetness and a vibrant combination of spice and crisp citrus.  Together, these flavors come together very nicely.  Dr. Lumsden has created a very interesting expression with Milsean that can be enjoyed anytime, especially after dinner.  I can’t wait to taste what’s next.

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Glenmorangie.)

Glenmorangie “The Original” Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Dr. Bill Lumsden is obsessed with wood.  Lumsden is head of distilling and whisky creation for the Glenmorangie Company, which owns the Ardbeg and Glenmorangie distilleries.  If you examine the range of Glenmorangie expressions, you get an idea of Lumsden’s fascination with how different barrels affect his whisky.  The distillery pioneered the idea of finishing whisky, which is a brief secondary maturation in a different type of barrel than used during the primary maturation.

Glenmorangie owns a forest in Missouri.  Casks made from this good ole’ American oak are leased to some American distilleries.  Heaven Hill is rumored to be one.  These American distilleries age their bourbon, then turn over the used barrels to Glenmorangie.

Glenmorangie 10yr

The youngest Glenmorangie whisky aged in these barrels is their 10-year-old expression: Glenmorangie The Original.  Most, if not all, of the rest of their expressions then go on to a brief secondary maturation in a variety of different casks, like the new Glenmorangie Milsean, which is finished in re-toasted ex-wine casks.

Glenmorangie The Original is the distillery’s simplest whisky expression.  Ten years in first and refill ex-bourbon casks.  That’s it.  But don’t let that simplicity fool you.  Glenmorangie’s stills, the tallest in Scotland, produce a light and floral spirit that, combined with meticulous wood management, lead to a sweet, complex whisky.  This expression is bottled at 43% abv.

Glenmorangie 10yr B

The nose is on the lighter side, but still maintains a richness about it with notes of light toffee, honeysuckle and vanilla.  Sweet malt provides a rich quality, while lemon rind adds some brightness.  Those last two aromas mentioned are the first flavors encountered on the entry.  The bourbon cask maturation adds a bit of sweet toffee and some vanilla bean, as well as a bit of well-integrated oak.  Then there’s light fruit and the not-quite-subtle floral character.  No flavor note outweighs another, giving us a beautifully balanced whisky.  The finish is full of honeyed malt.  It’s clean and doesn’t last too long.

This isn’t a “heavy” whisky.  Instead it’s a highly flavored, delicate whisky.  I can see why this is the best selling single malt whisky in Scotland.  Glenmorangie “The Original” is one to pull out for a friend who’s never tasted Scotch.  At the same time, it should please even experienced whisky drinkers.  Recommended!

8.5/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by Glenmorangie.)

High West Bourye (2016) Review

The original bourbon and rye whiskey blend, High West’s Bourye hits shelves again in a limited release.  The first batch several years ago was a big hit for the Utah distillery.  Though High West distills whiskey, a large percentage of the current releases include sourced whiskies, something the distillery is very open about.

High West Bourye

All of the whiskies in this blend are sourced from MGP in Indiana.  They include a 9-year-old bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley), 13-year-old rye whiskey and 17-year-old rye whiskey.  The mashbill for the rye whiskies is 95% rye, 5% malted barley.  High West isn’t disclosing ratio of each whiskey in this blend.  Bourye is non-chill filtered and bottled at a very sippable 92 proof.  The suggested retail price is $79.99.

The rich nose comes across as more high-rye bourbon than rye whiskey upon pouring the glass. After a few moments, the aromatic rye whiskies make you stand up and take notice.  The older rye whiskies provide lovely baking spices, fruit and a not-quite-sharp rye grain, alongside toasted oak.  Corn and caramel come to us courtesy of the bourbon this blend.  The complex entry is full of cinnamon, cloves, rye grain and corn mingled together beautifully over a bed of dark brown sugar and old but not overly-dry oak.  I initially hoped for a higher bottling proof, but here 92 proof is spot on.  I don’t care to add water to this.  The medium-long finish is the weakest part of this whiskey.  It’s pure rye spice over a small amount of saccharine sweetness.  That odd sweetness is slightly disappointing, but still worthy of the whiskey overall.

Folks, I have a feeling this will make my Top 10 favorite whiskies list at the end of the year.  High West founder David Perkins and Head Distiller Brendan Coyle have done a fantastic job of balancing a nicely aged bourbon and older rye whiskies.  You really get the best of both worlds.  The strong nose and full-bodied palate cover the slight shortcomings of the finish, and at the end of the day it’s a whiskey I’m glad I tasted.  This batch of Bourye is highly recommended.

9/10
(Note: A small review sample was provided by High West.)