The second release in the Private Edition range was the Glenmorangie Finealta (2011). Which sounds like it should be the end, but it was just the beginning. Figuratively and literally.
Finealta is Dr. Bill’s attempt to recreate a Glenmorangie recipe from 1903, which sounds like we’re reaching back into ancient history, but in 1903 Glenmo had been operating as a distillery for 60 years. Before that it was a brewery.
This 1903 recipe noted the use of “American white oak” casks (ex-Bourbon) and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. It also noted peat, because in 1903 that’s how all barley was dried. HVAC systems were a long way off from being widely used. This was still the day of the horse and buggy as 1903 is also the year Henry Ford founded his company.
However, the lack of mechanical heating and cooling systems means little in the world of prestige and premium quality. The Savoy existed and was a haven for good taste and the Finealta is as close as we can get today to the style of Glenmorangie that was served to its patrons.
I don’t know about you, but history makes me thirsty. Let’s get to drinkin’ and get on with this Scotch review.
Glenmorangie Finealta – 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-Oloroso
Age: 10+ Years
ABV: 46%
PPM: 15ish
Released: 2011 (2nd)
Glenmorangie Finealta Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (originally $80)
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Glenmorangie A Tale Of Winter
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Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
Glenmorangie Finealta Tasting Notes
EYE
Golden honey
NOSE
Banana’s Foster, vanilla pudding, peat, toasted marshmallows, nuts, malt and dried orchard fruit.
Not at all the typical Glenmorangie profile, but I’m digging it.
PALATE
Leathery dark fruit, banana pudding, smoke, roasted nuts, char, baking spice, vanilla malted shake, milk chocolate and some taffy sweetness.
The palate is complex and alluring. As a-typical Glenmo as it gets but good.
FINISH
Long -> Dark fruit, roasted nuts, smoke and leather with a vanilla cupcake fade.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Very well balanced, medium-full body and a warm oily feel.
Glenmorangie Finealta – Overall Thoughts and Score
Woah… I’ve always wondered what peated Glenmo would be like and now that I have my answer I want more. Peat works very well here and compliments the underlying fruitiness perfectly. The sherry casks don’t hurt either.
This is vastly different and I don’t fully equate it to Glenmo, but it does retain some of that naturally fruity character – I get hints of it peeking through. Like how hints of Tobermory peek through Ledaig. The light peat makes Glenmorangie Finealta a fundamentally different whisky, and that’s not a bad thing here because it’s quite good.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93) – Thanks to Travis for the sample
Glenmorangie Finealta Review $80
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)