Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Tasting @ The Auld Alliance

The Glenmorangie Range and the Ardbeg 10

Glenmorangie and Ardbeg hold very important places in my heart. As a total newcomer to the Whisky world, I stepped into Leeds in the United Kingdom thinking whisky was a drink that burnt your throat and I didn't even know that there was a difference between Johnnie Walker, Jim Beam and Jack Daniels. That all changed when I stepped into Morrisons in the Merrion Centre of the Leeds' city centre and got myself a Glenmorangie 10 year old Single Malt Scotch. It was smooth, light and most importantly, did not burn my throat at all. Suffice to say, that was the start of my odyssey. Similarly with the Ardbeg 10, it was the first Islay whisky I bought whilst on the way back to the UK from Hannover. I was overwhelmed by it initially, but I did see what the raving was all about as it was astonishingly complex and balanced.

So needless to say it was a special feeling to have been invited for the Glenmorangie and Ardbeg tasting at The Auld Alliance, and to re-live the moments where it all started for me. Hosted by the Glenmorangie Brand Ambassador David Blackmore, the tasting was a wonderful introduction into the Glenmorangie brand, the work put into the expressions we tasted, and it culminated in a tasting of the Ardbeg 10, a sister brand of Glenmorangie that is also marketed here.

The range we tasted included the Standard Glenmorangie 10, the Glenmorangie Lasanta, the Glenmorangie 18 Year, the Glenmorangie Signet and the Ardbeg 10.

Sounds great? Indeed it was for me, till my nose decided it will start to block leaving me with no way of smelling half of the whiskies on offer. Bummer. 

Hence, recognising the importance of the sense of smell in trying a whisky, I have decided to give short notes of (a) what to expect and (b) the little I managed to smell, instead of the standard reviews, just to let people have a feel of what each had to offer.

The Glenmorangie 10: The standard bearer of the Glenmorangie range, it is light and fruity, mainly due to the tall stills that are used in the distillery that capture the lighter essences that distill to the top. One can get strong vanilla, red apples, grapes and citrus in the nose, and the flavour continues that with a hint of oak.

The Glenmorangie Lasanta: Un-chill filtered, the Lasanta is the 10 year old Glenmorangie left to finish for 2 years in Oloroso Sherry Casks. The casks, hence, impart a more chocolate and spicy note to the finish, whilst retaining the fruity and floral fragrances of the standard 10.

The Glenmorangie 18: The 18 is a marrying of whisky that have been left in American Oak barrels for 15 years then finished in Oloroso and also whisky that have been left in American Oak for the full 18 years. The result is a nice beautiful mix of vanilla and spice, with the oak influences definitely coming into play.

The Glenmorangie Signet: One of the more exclusive Glenmorangies on offer, the Signet is a mix of the whiskies available to Glenmorangie, ranging from the 10 year old, to those that are 18-20 years old, up to 40 years old. A masterpiece by any standards, it is rich in coffee, liquorice, spice and still retains that fruity edge we associate with Glenmorangie.

The Ardbeg 10: It must be something about the Ardbeg that makes their bottlers proudly exclaim on their boxes and bottles that people consider it the best whisky in the world. It must be something more that makes whisky experts and tasters around the world shower it with acclaim. A lovely mix of sweet citrusy notes and that unmistakable smoked bacon sweetness, the Ardbeg 10 is definitely a dram worth trying!

Unfortunately for me, by the time I hit the Glenmorangie 18, my nose was a complete goner, so pardon the lack of much notes. I promise that if I can I will retaste these drams and write full notes for one and all!

Lastly thank you to my lovely drinking buddy who came with me again for this tasting! And of course many thanks to Emmanuel Dron and The Auld Alliance, and David Blackmore and Glenmorangie for the wonderful evening.