Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare is kind of like the intro to the Glenmo Prestige Expressions and for a long time it was one of the best deals in super-premium Scotch on the market. It was only 4 or 5 years ago I could still walk into K&L and pick it up for $100 ($110 after-tax). Now it’s $150, which still isn’t awful for an 18 yo Scotch.
To create this premium edition they take some ex-Bourbon matured whisky that’s been aged for at least 15 years and they dump it into ex-Oloroso casks where it further matures for at least another three years. This isn’t just a simple dumping of 18+ yo spirit, it’s a 3-year finishing of a 15-year-old one.
After three years the 18+-year-old sherry finished single malt is blended with more 18+-year-old ex-Bourbon Glenmorangie and bottled. The inspiration behind this technique and expression is “an autumn afternoon” so let’s get to drinkin’ and see if I fall for this whisky.
Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Glenmorangie
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Oloroso
Age: 18 Years
ABV: 43%
Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare Price: $150
Related Whiskey
Glenmorangie Original 10 Years
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12
Glenmorangie Astar
Glenmorangie Sherry Wood 12
Glenmorangie Finealta
Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare Tasting Notes
EYE
Deep amber
NOSE
Sultanas, dried orchard fruit, toffee, strawberry shortcake, graham, manuka honey, citrus peel, nuts and some oak, vanilla fondant, char
Rich… decadently rich aroma that harmoniously layers sweet and earthy notes seamlessly.
PALATE
Sultanas, dried orchard fruit, toffee, strawberry shortcake, graham, manuka honey, tangerine, nuts and some oak, vanilla fondant, char.
Palate of the Glenmo 18 is a near copy of the aroma with the citrus coming through a bit more like tangerine than ambiguous.
FINISH
Long -> Dried orchard fruit, graham, char, toffee and tangerine fade out to bitter-sweet-oaky treat.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Great balance, medium body and a light oily feel.
Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare – Overall Thoughts and Score
Across the senses, Glenmo 18 holds a warm, fruity and bakery sweet profile accented with hints of earthiness that make this an easily enjoyed complex whisky. I don’t fully get “autumn afternoon” while enjoying this, that conjurs ideas of spiced ciders and baking spice for me, but I can kind of see it with the dried fruit notes. Regardless, it’s a great whisky.
If you’re looking for something to treat yourself with it’s hard to beat the Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare in the “everyday luxury” category. It’s just magnificent with a warm, complex delivery that seduces the senses and keeps you entertained and intrigued from start to finish. It’s among my favorite, not-completely-unaffordable, luxury sippers out there.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93)
Glenmorangie 18 Years Extremely Rare Review $150
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
