Review 103: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Yr

Review 103

10/29/12

Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year: 46% abv

So, if you look back, Glenmorangie is a single malt Scotch distillery, and they like to tell us that they have the tallest stills in Scotland. The stills are probably not relevant to you, but let’s take a quick second to discuss why that matters. Because of the science of distillation, flux and still geometry make huge impacts on what’s in the still and how long it spends there. So what do taller stills do? Well, in Glenmorangie they generally make a lighter, more floral and sweet whisky. We can talk more about science later. Class dismissed. So this Lasanta stuff...what’s different from this and the Original Glenmorangie. Besides being 12 years instead of 10 years old, it is aged in a different cask. In fact, that cask is an Oloroso Sherry Cask. We like those casks, and we like the effect it has on whisky. So how about this one? 

Well, on the nose, you get a blend of flavors, greeted by the floral and light oak scents you would expect from Glenmorangie, but also big maltiness, grain, vanilla, honey, caramel apple, red grape and sweet, sweet sherry. Ahh! How refreshing. So then we drink. In the arrival, you’ll start to understand this whisky, with instant notes of citrus, apples, malt grain, gingerbread, and allspice. The arrival is crisp and refreshing, and after putting water in it, honey comes out. 

The body is moderate, with wheat, malt, sherry, wood flavors, honey, hay, caramel, gingerbread and allspice. Again, this is a pleasant, but easy taste. The finish is largely complex. There is malt, caramel, dry oak, sherry, raspberry, slightly tart cherry which becomes sweeter over time, and confectioner’s sugar. After adding water, the whisky softens up in general, but adds some spicy fruits and more vanilla to it. There is a bigger wheat flavor and less malt and sherry. In the finish, there is also a dark chocolate bitterness. 

Overall, we like the fact that Glenmorangie is bottling at 46%, and it pays off. This has good flavors and good balance, although complexity isn’t groundbreaking. This is a strong, solid statement. Worth a try if you like sherry-aged whiskys. 

Score: 9.0/10