Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years Review

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years was launched in 2010 and changed to the Quinta Ruban 14 in 2019, but they kept the price the same. The reason for both the change in age and no change in price is that the QR12 has, pretty much, been a 14 yo the whole time.

There might have been some under 14-year whisky in the 12, but from what I’ve read in interviews, the Quinta Ruban has consisted mostly of “much older than 12 years” whisky for quite a while so Glenmorangie decided to make it official.

This means, in theory, we shouldn’t see a whole of difference between this and the current Quinta Ruban 14. I think we should put that theory to the test by reviewing the two side-by-sde.

Let’s get to drinkin’!

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 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: 46%

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (originally $45)

Related Whiskey

Glenmorangie The Original 10 years
Glenmorangie Lasanta
Glenmorangie Nectar D’ Or

White background tasting shot with the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years bottle and a glass of whiskey next to it.

“Dr Bill, our Director of Whisky Creation, was born with a taste for adventure. And with this single malt he sought to create a whisky as unpredictable as his travels.” – Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruby caramel

NOSE
Dried dark fruit, caramel, copper, vanilla taffy, Honey Nut Cheerios, cocoa and a touch of chalk, baked goods, and floral notes.

It’s a warm, darkly sweet and rich velvety aroma.

PALATE
Sticky dried dark fruit, caramel, oak, roasted malt, cocoa, copper, dried orchard fruit, nuts and a bit of citrus peels and baking spice.

Soft and fresh with a dark fruity and candy sweetness sweeping through and from time-to-time the flavors will combine and I think of Whoppers/Malteesers.

FINISH
Med-long -> Dried dark fruit, citrus peels, copper, baking spice fade out to oak.

BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Well balanced, medium-full body and a lightly oily feel.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years – Overall Thoughts and Score

I truly do enjoy this whisky. Every time we have a Glenmo tasting with the SCWC or I attend an LVMH press event I find myself gravitating towards the Quinta. It doesn’t matter what limited editions are out, what’s new, what’s old, etc. I just keep coming back to this little ruby gem.

Are there Glenmos I enjoy more than the Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Years? Sure. But they tend to be in the not-quite-affordable range and so I’ll spoil my palate with them when I can, and so does everyone else at the events, but as soon as they run dry I can be found happily sipping the Quinta. And that ain’t a bad place to be.

SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)