Glenmorangie 18 Years (2022)

It’s been many, many, MANY years since I last tried the Glenmorangie 18 Years, a single malt that boldly claims it is ‘extremely rare’. Really, it says so on the label, so it must be true.

The last time (and first time) I tasted the Glenmorangie 18 Years predates this blog by a handsome period. And Words of Whisky has been going for almost a decade now. It was the final dram I tasted during one of the earlier whisky festivals I visited. I can still vividly picture a buddy walking up all excited about his latest discovery, which indeed turned out to be the Glenmorangie 18 Years.

I had maybe one or two sips from his glass. What I remember from those two sips is a single malt whisky that was as sweet as I had experienced up to that point. Granted, my frame of reference then pales in comparison to now. And yet, that’s the image that stayed with me. Strangely enough, it is probably still the first thing I think about whenever somebody brings up Glenmorangie.

Should that matter to you, my dear reader? I don’t know. You probably don’t care. If you take anything away from this it’s probably that my memory is a funny thing filled mostly with whisky experiences.

Also, this short story illustrates the type of expectations I have going into this tasting. I expect it to be sweet, even though this current Glenmorangie 18 Years was just a few years old during my first experience with my expression. So much has changed since then. Probably also the flavour profile of this whisky.

Glenmorangie 18 Years (43%, OB, 2022)

Nose: Delicate and elegant, highlights are notes of candied pecans, red apple peel, apfelstrudel, and warm vanilla sauce. Also plums, apricots and a touch of juniper, as well as some resin. Ending on some light floral notes.
Taste: Fairly sweet indeed. A big dollop of honey and vanilla custard, accompanied by orange zest, lychee and cardamom. Then some tangerines and apricots, while were ending with a pinch of cinnamon.
Finish: Medium length. Oak spices push forward, while lemon pith also makes an appearance.

Photo: Whiskybase & The Whisky Exchange