Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1997 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The basis for the 23-year-old Highland Single Malt is whisky, which was initially matured for 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks before spending the next 13 years in ex-red wine barrels from Château Montrose from the appellation Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux. During this time, it developed extraordinary dark berry fruit flavors, as the latest press release from Moet Hennessy reports.

A full 13 years later, that single malt developed extraordinary, berried depths. Delighted, Dr. Bill began devising a complex marriage of casks to enhance its unparalleled taste. Taking whisky wholly aged in bourbon casks, he hinted at Glenmorangie’s hallmark citrus notes. With whisky finished for many years in oloroso sherry casks, he brought layers of sweetness and spicy finesse, while a skillful selection of secret casks also played their part.

Tasting notes:

Color: The deep ochre tones

Nose: An amazing, fruity-perfumed complexity. Floral notes of roses, jasmine and cloves mix with aromas of red berries, mint toffee, pastries or cakes and top notes of sweets. With a little water, more mild, floral notes of roses and cloves emerge, with a subtle spiciness of sweet chilli, cloves and ginger.

Palate: A slightly tingling, gently spicy taste is followed by a symphony of sweet candy flavors, red berry fruits with pineapple and pear and mandarin wedges in fruit jelly. With sweet notes of ginger and chilli, fine marzipan and vanilla candied apples.

Finish: Sweet, rich, long and delicately spicy with a final suggestion of sugared sweetness and the merest hint of spice.