Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years [700ML]

Glenmorangie distillery was founded by William Matheson in 1843 in Scotland Highlands. Glenmorangie’s pure, smooth spirit is distilled in Scotland’s tallest stills, matured in the finest casks and perfected by The Men of Tain shows the distilleries dedication and innovation in the whisky-making process.American white oak casks are hand-picked from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri then air-seasoned for two years before lending them to bourbon producers like Jack Daniels for four years to use in their own maturation before taking back the now ex-bourbon barrels to be used to mature the Glenmorangie whisky. Glenmorangie’s water flows from the Tarlogie Springs in the hills above the distillery.

Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years is a notable Highland single malt scotch whisky that is one of the Cask Finish series, along with Quinta Ruban and Nectar d’Or. Expressions in this series feature a similar maturation process where it is first matured in American ex-bourbon oak casks for ten years. The difference between the three is the final two years of maturation in different types of cask. Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years is finished in hand-selected Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry oak casks while Nectar D’or matures in Ex-Sauternes Casks and Quinta Ruban uses Ex-Port barrels.

Lasanta stands for “warm and passion” in Gaelic, a name that suits this sherry influenced whisky. The whisky was initially released in a 46% ABV bottling but has been reduced to 43% ABV in 2014.

TO THE EYE

A light russet.

TO THE NOSE

Warm spices mingle with chocolate-covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee.

TO THE PALATE

Sherry-flavoured sultanas, orange segments, walnuts and butterscotch combine to create complex warm spices.

TO THE END

Long and satisfying, with spiced orange and chocolate.