Review #284 - Glenmorangie 13 Year Cognac Cask Finish
Another one of the vast array of cask finish releases that Glenmorangie puts out - here, we have the 'Barrel Select Release' Cognac Cask finish. It was aged 13 years, and we get a nice strength of 46% ABV, along with a lack of chill filtration - it's great to see that on the label from such a large brand.
Glenmorangie 13 Year Cognac Cask Finish
Scotland/Highland - Single Malt
Current Locally Available Price: USD 90 (2024)
Age Statement: 13 Years
Strength: 46% ABV
Cask Makeup: Finished in ex-cognac casks
Details: Not chill filtered
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 5 months; bottles at 90%, 40%, and 30% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Light and spirity, with light fruits: poached pear and apples, particularly sour apples. That sour theme continues with slightly funky malt, and then we find baking notes of dry vanilla, peppercorns, and blanched nuts. Oak grows stronger with time, and this leans toward the dry side of whisky; despite the flavors, a relatively mild nose in terms of strength.
Palate: A medium-thin mouthfeel, which comes with honey, sour malt, and nutty oak. There are sweet orchard fruits of ripe pear and golden apple, along with some brown sugar, but then dry oak, bordering on sour oak, adds an opposing side. Lots of malt, and later, vanilla and cinnamon add baking spices; there are hints of orange at times.
Finish: Medium length, with lots of malt carrying through the experience. Honey and caramel bring sweetness, but oak and nectarine fruit add a sour side. There are hints of perfume, cinnamon, and grape in the aftertaste.
Final Note: This presented to us as quite spirity and sour in a couple of our tastings; while there were soft sweet fruit and vanilla notes, a lot of the malt and slightly bitter oak flavors began to overwhelm. Not bad, but not our favorite Glenmorangie, and it wasn't a cheap bottle, either.
Our Average Rating: 5.3 / 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: 4.76
