Glenmorangie The Duthac

By Barry Bradford on January 26, 2016 • ( Leave a comment )

Glenmorangie The Duthac (43%, OB, PX & Virgin Oak Casks, 2014)

Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky
Origin: Glenmorangie Distillery
Bottling: Official – Moet-Hennessy
ABV: 43%
Cost: £69.97

What they say:

At the centre of the Royal Burgh of Tain, Ross-shire, in the far north of Scotland where the Glenmorangie Distillery has stood proudly since 1843, lies the resting place of St Duthac. During the Middle Ages, the legends of his workings drew travellers from far and wide on pilgrimages to the ancient burgh.

A whisky fit for a King, this expression honours the annual pilgrimage made by King James IV to the shrine of St Duthac in Tain, and is part of Glenmorangie Legends – a collection of single malt whiskies exclusive to Travel Retail, inspired by the legendary lands that have been home to the Glenmorangie Distillery since 1843.

Aroma:

Seductive aromas of pear, toffee apple, Brazil nuts in toffee, with an underlying spicy note, some toasty oak. With a splash of water, some creamy vanilla fudge is encountered, along with the classic Sherry cask note of linseed oil.

Taste:

Mouth-filling flavours of milk chocolate, toffee, Brazil nuts, leather and some aniseed. The spiciness is definite, but gentle, with hints of ginger and clove.

Finish:

The aftertaste once again reminds drinkers that this is a Glenmorangie, with vanilla, apricots in cream and some almond marzipan.

What I say:

Glenmorangie ‘The Duthac’ thanks to Jon at Scotch and Sci-fi for organising a share of this one. Released in their Legends collection alongside Dornoch

Colour:

Copper amber gold (10/20) fine droplets tears loosen into medium legs

Nose:

Spiced gingerbread, sweet sticky & ginger toffee pudding, vanilla custard, mince pies, red fruits, plum, strawberry, putty/linseed oil, raspberry ripple ice-cream, perfumed, orange marmalade and tannic tea

Taste:

Smooth and silky, gently spiced ginger and clove, molasses, chocolate milk, malty cereal barley, crystallised ginger, brown sugar, malty and tannic, toffee oak wood, oaty porridge, vanilla, marzipan, sugared almonds, rum & raisin fudge

Finish:

Long, sweet and gentle, spiced, relaxed and smooth

Overall:

Very smooth and silky, just typical of that Glenmorangie long-necked still spirit nature, there is a nice amount of chocolate, vanilla and marzipan balanced by ginger spice. A relaxing experience, one to savour whilst unwinding.