How good looking is that Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990? Aged for 25 years in a combination of ex-Bourbon and ex-Oloroso casks, this is essentially an extra, extra, aged Glenmorangie 18… so would that make this Extra Exceptionally Rare?
I got to try this Grand Vintage 1990 at a private tasting, but was lucky enough to be asked if I would take some time with the bottle and give it a real review. I didn’t get to kill the bottle off, more’s the pity, but I did get to know this whisky pretty well and with this review, I hope, you will too.
Let’s get to drinkin’.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 – 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-Sherry
Age: 25 Years
ABV: 43%
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (Originally ~$600)
Related Whiskey
Glenmorangie 18
Glenmorangie Astar
Glenmorangie 15
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12
Glenmorangie Finealta
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 Tasting Notes
EYE
Coppery honey
NOSE
Honey, baking spice, roasted malt, leather, citrus peels, figgy sweetness and Honey Nut Cheerios with some dried orchard fruit, raisiny sweetness and a touch of toffee and cocoa.
It’s not heavy, it’s more fresh and breezy, but not in a light and wimpy way. The notes are delivered boldly.
PALATE
Honey, cinnamon-heavy baking spice, buttery pie crust, leather, dried strawberries, Honey Nut Cheerios, toffee, dried orchard fruit and a bit of oak and raisiny sweetness.
Like the aroma it’s soft and velvety, not heavy at all, but it manages a wonderful multi-faceted complexity.
FINISH
Medium-long -> Dried orchard fruit, Honey Nut Cheerios and oak fade with a light leather and strawberry candy sweetness.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Perfectly balanced, medium body and a light silken feel.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 – Overall Thoughts and Score
It’s hard to beat this Grand Vintage 1990, it’s so close to a 5/5. There is just a slight lack of depth, a slight lack of complexity, a slight lack of weight and body that keeps me from being able to cross that line. A slightly higher proof (~46%) and NCF probably would have gone a long way, especially at the price, but the fact remains – it’s good. Very good.
While the whisky is a bit, ok a lot, out of my price range, it’s an exceptional level of quality for those who can afford it. And yes, if I had the money to do it I’d happily buy a bottle of the Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990. It’s a true celebration of the distillery.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93)
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 Review $600
Overall
4.5- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4.5)
- BBF (4.5)
