Sunday 19 February 2012

Whisky Discovery #37

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 Year Old / Port Finish (46%, OB, bottled 2012, 70cl)
Highland Single Malt Whisky
Circa £38


Just a taster dram at local wine merchants
A sneaky dram in my local Cambridge Wine Merchants in Ampthill while reviewing their whisky wall and picking a bottle of their Sound of Islay for myself. (more on both Cambridge Wine and Sound of Islay later). I had heard they keep a few bottles open from time to time, so asked what was, and this Glenmorangie was pulled out and poured into a nosing glass 

Glenmorangie's Quinta Ruban has won a number of awards, most notably ISWC Gold Best In Class (Single Malt, Highland) in both 2008 and 2009. However, it was upgraded in late 2010, and is now sporting a 12 Year Old age statement where previously there was none.

The darkest and most intense whisky in their extra-matured range, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak bourbon casks, before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas, or wine estates, of Portugal. 'Ruban' is Gaelic for ruby, hence the name.

Extra maturation in these port pipes develops Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban into a voluptuous spirit with a complex balance of sweet and dry flavours and an intriguing contrast of smooth and crisp, cooling textures.

Because it is non chill filtered and bottled at 46%, this imparts added body, taste and texture to the spirit.

So what did I think?
From the quick snifter I had I was impressed. It was the first whisky my wife had actually said that she liked the smell of, so am I slowly winning her over?

Colour: Sunlit ruby gold

Nose: Dark chocolate, with a hint of mint? Marmalade oranges, a good touch of Port, slightly nutty, spices and pepper.

Palate: Like sipping velvet! The palate is sweet and thick, the Port being chewy and rich. Chocolate and nuts again, more sweet marmalade oranges. Christmas fruitcake with lots of dark plums, raisins, absolutely mouth filling.

Finish: Long lasting, fruity silky and sweet, the aftertaste leaving dark chocolate and traces of orange and apricots.

I only had one dram of this in the confines of a busy wine shop, and so did not have the time to sit down and fully appreciate this whisky to the level I try to when enjoying a new whisky at home. I was however, impressed by this whisky and certainly adding this bottle to my wish list.



Have just checked my Bible and Guide. It is listed in Ian Buxton's 101 and Jim Murray gives it a 'brilliant' 92 points. Can't be bad then !

1 comment:

Robert said...

Love this one, velvety for sure! This and the Lasanta both far too easy to enjoy.