The original Glenmorangie Astar was released in 2008. This is the re-release from 2017 and you can, kinda, think of it as a cask strength version of The Original 10, but with a twist. That twist being the exact casks used.
The wood used for the Astar comes from trees in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. The staves from these trees were open-air seasoned for two years – far longer than the traditional three to six months. This extra seasoning breaks down more of the fibers, lignins, etc. and makes the wood softer, and lends a different profile to spirits aged in it.
To keep from overpowering the single malt, the barrels made from these staves were toasted, compared to the traditional heavy char, and then filled with bourbon. The bourbon “donor” is undisclosed, but Glenmo works a lot with Brown-Forman so it could be a whiskey in that family. After four years in these toasted casks, the American whiskey was dumped and the barrels shipped to Scotland.
Once they arrived in the Highlands they were filled with Glenmo spirirt and left to mature for 5+ years. Bottled at cask strength, the Astar is experimental Glenmorangie in all of its bespoke ex-Bourbon cask greatness. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get to drinkin’ and dive into this unique offering.
Glenmorangie Astar – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Glenmorangie
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: NAS (5+ Years)
ABV: 52.5%
Glenmorangie Astar Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (Originally $74)
Related Whiskey
Glenmorangie Original 10 Years
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12
Glenmorangie Allta
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14
Glenmorangie X
Glenmorangie Astar Tasting Notes
EYE
Golden honey
NOSE
Musty oak, honey, dried orchard fruit, nutmeg, wax beans, aloe vera and touches of vanilla, caramel and banana taffy.
The musty dryness is so unique, especially in Glenmorangie. I’ve never experienced it in any other Glenmo, it would stick out like a sore thumb in a blind tasting.
PALATE
Musty oak, honey, dried orchard fruit, nutmeg, wax beans, aloe vera and touches of vanilla, caramel and banana taffy.
A straight carbon copy of the aroma. It doesn’t happen often, but I’m not picking up any substantial difference between the two. Palate might be a touch sweeter (fruity) but that’s about it.
FINISH
Medium -> Musty oak, dried orchard fruit, malt and caramel.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good sense of balance, med-full body and an oily feel that turns a bit dry.
Glenmorangie Astar – Overall Thoughts and Score
The most surprising thing about the Astar is how blunted the finish is, it feels far shorter than it should be from the aroma and palate. As it opens, it picks up a very slight soap note on the aroma and palate. It gets a bit more noticeable with some water, but it never moves up beyond a background hint. Which is good, because that’s a note that can ruin a Scotch in no time flat.
After a few sips, the fruitiness shows more, but it never takes over and that heavy oakiness stays present and constant. But I’m ok with that. I can see how it would be distracting to some classic single malt lovers, but as someone who also loves bourbon, I find the oak in the Glenmorangie Astar to be warm and inviting.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86)
Glenmorangie Astar Review $74
Overall
3.5- Nose (3.5)
- Palate (3.5)
- Finish (3.5)
- BBF (3.5)