When I saw this Glenmorangie Madeira Wood Finish 12 Years on the list for one of our SCWC Glenmo tastings I was excited. Very excited. When it’s done right, a Madeira finish is one of my favorite finishes in whiskydom.
A quick look at the bottle and label style tells you this is a pre-LVMH aquisition bottling. A quick look at Glenmo’s current website will also confirm that it wasn’t kept in the core because it’s not listed anywhere. Why did they cut the Madeira?
I don’t know why they cut this and the Cote D’OR Burgundy from the core. They changed the Port Wood Finish to the Quinta Ruban, the sherry finish was changed to Lasanta and the Nectar D’Or was introduced, but the Madeira Wood Finish and Burgundy were simply cut.
Madeira barrels do still show up in releases like the Bacalta, but it would be nice if they, or anyone, had a good, solid, tasty, affordable, standard Madeira release. Is that too much to ask? Probably, anyways, no use crying over dry empty Madeira barrels (that’s a saying right?). Let’s get to drinkin’ and dive into this dusty Glenmorangie.
Glenmorangie Madeira Wood 12 Years – 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
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Glenmorangie Madeira Wood 12 Years Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (originally ~$46)
Related Whiskey
Glenmorangie 10 Years (Old)
Glenmorangie Traditional 100 Proof
Glenmorangie Nectar D’ Or 12 Years
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Years
Glenmorangie Burgundy Wood 12 Years
Glenmorangie Madeira Wood 12 Years Tasting Notes
EYE
Apricot honey
NOSE
Sticky winey sweetness, dried orchard fruit, dried apricots, sultanas and some caramel with touches of oak and spice.
The Madeira lands heavy and brings an intense sugary sweetness to it that isn’t quite balanced.
PALATE
Heavy golden raisin sweetness, wine sweetness, dried orchard fruit, malt, oak and some caramel.
There’s something a bit off about it, like the pieces are a millimeter off and it’s not quite coming together.
FINISH
Medium-short -> Winey sweetness, oak, copper and some stale dried fruit fade out.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Ok balance, medium-light body and a soft light feel.
Glenmorangie Madeira Wood 12 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score
Ok, I can see why LVMH didn’t keep this exact version when they took over. Though, unless it’s a cask quality issue, I don’t know why they don’t bring it back. The Bacalta was great so we know the Glenmo spirit does work well with Madeira and that Dr. Bill and co know how to work with the barrels to produce something tasty.
Only thing I can think of is that maybe it wasn’t worth the effort to try and revitalize this or the Burgundy? Maybe the Sherry Wood Finish and the Port Wood Finish were so far ahead, and their cask sources were perfectly on point, it just wasn’t worth the time and effort to bring the Glenmorangie Madeira Wood 12 Years up to their level? Again, only Dr. Bill and the accountant know.
SCORE: 3.5/5 (tasty, worth checking out ~ B | 83-86) – Thanks to Travis for the sample
Glenmorangie Madeira Wood 12 Years Review $NA
Overall
3.5- Nose (3.5)
- Palate (3.5)
- Finish (3.5)
- BBF (3.5)