The eighth release in the Private Editions line was the Glenmorangie Bacalta (2017). Its name means “baked” in Scots Gaelic and is a tribute to the island of Madeira. I enjoy Madeira and love well-done Madeira finished whisky so I was extra excited to sit down with this one.
Like most of the PE releases and all of the extra-aged core line, Bacalta started out as a parcel of ex-Bourbon Glenmo 10 which then received an additional finishing. In this case, it was left to finish for two years in ex-Malmsey Madeira casks which were “baked under the sun”. It’s a romantic-sounding whisky, let’s hope the liquid holds up to the tale.
Let’s get to drinkin’.
Glenmorangie Bacalta – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Glenmorangie
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Madeira
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Released: 2017 (8th)
Glenmorangie Bacalta Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (originally $100)
Related Whiskey
Glenmorangie Madeira 12 Years
Glenmorangie Ealanta
Glenmorangie Companta
Glenmorangie Tusail
Glenmorangie Milsean
Glenmorangie Bacalta Tasting Notes
EYE
Golden honey
NOSE
Sultanas, Honey Nut Cheerios, white peaches, malty milk chocolate covered graham, dried fruit and bits of vanilla pudding and butterscotch.
Decadent and rich, the sweetness comes in layers.
PALATE
Sultanas, baked honeycomb, white peaches, malty milk chocolate covered graham, dried fruit and bits of vanilla pudding and butterscotch with a touch of candied fig.
Almost a carbon copy from the aroma and comes in with a bit more depth and complexity.
FINISH
Medium – Long -> Sultanas, banana pudding, malt, butterscotch and a slightly spicy fade.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, medium-full body and lightly oily feel.
Glenmorangie Bacalta – Overall Thoughts and Score
Not gonna lie, I was excited to dig into this one. Glenmorangie + Madeira… how could it go wrong? I guess they could have used bad casks, but that obviously wasn’t the case because nothing about this is wrong. It’s great.
What’s happening in this glass is good and balanced with a palate and aroma that keep pace with each other while striving for deeper depth and complexity as it opens. Glenmorangie Bacalta is an all-around wonderful whisky. It’s another of these releases I wish I had a bottle of!
SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93) – Thanks to Travis for the sample
Glenmorangie Bacalta Review $100
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
