Review #229 - Glenmorangie 12 Year 'The Lasanta'
The entry-level sherry cask offering from Glen mo ran gie, this Lasanta is a mass market product meant to appeal to as many drinkers as possible. No harsh or divisive flavors of peat, no high bottling strength (it's only 43% here), and not a particularly exotic cask mix. Because of the bottling strength and its mass appeal, it's probably heavily chill filtered as well.
After spending 10 years aging in ex-bourbon casks, Glenmorangie then transfers this spirit to casks that previously held Oloroso sherry, where it matures for an additional 2 years.
Glenmorangie 12 Year 'The Lasanta'
Scotland/Highlands - Single Malt
Current Locally Available Price: USD 47 (2024)
Age Statement: 12 Years
Strength: 43% ABV
Cask Makeup: Ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry casks
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 4 times over 16 months; bottles at 100%, 80% (blind tasting), 40% (blind tasting), and 80% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: A soft nose - the lower ABV speaks. A mix of orange fruit, soft dried fruit, and some spices, like cinnamon and nutmeg; hints of prune and dry fig, and some sour pomegranate can sometimes be found. Mild oak, with just hints of chocolate and brown sugar... a bit mild overall.
Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-thin; more oaky now, and more spicy, with cinnamon and a decent black pepper kick. Some youth despite the 12 years of aging, and the oak that does appear doesn't always feel well-integrated. The sherry brings cherries, orange, and a nutty spice; ex-bourbon notes like vanilla, too.
Finish: Freeze-dried strawberries, hints of molasses and raw nuts, and oak adding a few more flavors: white pepper, hints of wood smoke, anise, and slightly sour tannins. Overall, medium length.
Final Note: Really struggled to connect with this one. There weren't any major flaws, but it did feel a bit younger than its age statement, and the oak flavors didn't always seem of the highest qualities. The low bottling strength kept the whole experience quite mild, and it is relatively simple.
That said, there are some nice sherry notes - the variety of red fruits was solid, and that subtle nutty spice from the Oloroso casks is always a bit of a treat.
Price-wise, this is quite reasonable for a sherried single malt, so value isn't too bad - we just wish there was better flavor delivery.
Our Average Rating: 5.1 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 5.58
