Almost a year ago during a Christmas bourbon hunting trip, we came across this Glenmorangie Tasting Set in one of our regular NoCo stores. Knowing that I was wanting to expand my palate into more whisky and scotch, Mrs. Bourbon Bossman purchased this set as a great starting point for me. Well, I have definitely expanded my palate this past year, but unfortunately, this set sat on my shelf. So fast forward a year later on a cool fall Sunday, what better is there to do when you have a blown-out knee and can barely walk… drink whiskey! So today’s review is from the Glenmorangie Distillery and is of their official Tasting Set. This set includes The Original Glenmorangie 10-Year-Old, The Lasanta 12-Year-Old, The Quinta Ruban 14-Year-Old, and Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or.

From the Glenmorangie website: Containing a 10 cL bottle each of Glenmorangie’s core expression single malt whiskies. The original Glenmorangie 10 year old was released more than 175 years ago by our founders. It’s famous for its mellow tones and delicacy of flavour. The Lasanta 12 years old has been matured it in bourbon and sherry casks, transforming it into a mouth-watering odyssey bursting with rich spiciness and sun-drenched sweetness. The Quinta Ruban 14 years old has been matured in port casks. It has incredible flavour combinations. Walnut and black pepper. Mandarin orange and melted marshmallow. Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or is like sending your senses on holiday to a French pastry shop, where the air swirls with sweet scents, balanced by a soft drumbeat of spice. A truly incredible whisky.

Since purchasing this tasting set, we have seen the tasting set in one additional location in NoCo. Priced very reasonably for a great tasting set, I would recommend anyone wanting to explore single malt scotch whiskies purchase this at a very reasonable price of around $40.00. I am not sure if this is a regular release in the U.S., or if Glenmorangie releases this as more of a holiday gift set, but either way, this is an excellent holiday gift for any bourbon, whiskey, or scotch enthusiast. With that said, let’s get our taste on; with my new Aged & Ore Spirits Flight!

Glenmorangie (The Original)

• Nose: Sweet Citrus, Apple, Peach, Cherry and Vanilla
• Palate: Vanilla and Sweet Vibrant Fruit Compote
• Finish: Short and Sweet with a bit of Orange Peel
• Proof: 86 Proof
• My Rating: Drink It! (This was great!)

Glenmorangie (The Lasanta)

• Nose: Vanilla, Baking Spice, Raisins, and Cacoa Powder
• Palate: Sweet Vanilla, Baking Spice, Citrus, and Memories of Stale Christmas Toffee
• Finish: Rating: Long with Notes of Baking Spice, but not warm, and Orange Peel
• Proof: 86 Proof
• My Rating: Mix It!

Glenmorangie (The Quinta Ruban)

• Nose: Citrus, All Spice, and Dark Chocolate
• Palate: Vanilla, Orange Citrus, Leather, Strong Oak, and an Unknown Funk
• Finish: Long Orange Citrus, and Spice on the Back of the Tongue
• Proof: 92 Proof
• My Rating: Donate It! (Nose was excellent, palate not so much…)

Glenmorangie (The Nectar D’or)

• Nose: Vanilla, Citrus, and White Raisins
• Palate: Citrus and Slight Sweet Vanilla (Quite Simplistic)
• Finish: Short with Note of Vanilla and Citrus
• Proof: 92 Proof
• My Rating: Mix It! (All Around Simplistic)

Just for fun, this afternoon I also asked my wife to pour the remaining 50ml from each sample bottle as a blind flight. With my palate warmed up from the reviews, the blind flight was quite exciting and normally differs a bit from my above individual reviews; and indeed it did. It is always fun to see how bourbon and whiskey rank side-by-side, as often they will rank much differently than when drinking them alone. Here are my results:

• 1st Place: Glenmorangie The Nectar D’or
• 2nd Place: Glenmorangie The Original
• 3rd Place: Glenmorangie The Lasanta
• 4th Place: Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman