Nose (undiluted)
Orange peel, dark chocolate, faint hospital bandages with medicinal ointment, and freshly turned over, early morning, damp earth, as you hunt for worms for that fishing trip.
Palate (undiluted)
Rich, velvety, mouth filling body of loganberry, blackberries, raspberries. Think Christmas fruitcake with lots of dark, chunks of plum, raisins and dark cake bread.
Finish (undiluted)
Fantastic finish. What started initially as sweet quickly became mouth watering, and then dry and by the time you swallow, you are left with dusty apricot and port wine notes.
General Impressions
A few months ago, I wrote about my frustration with encountering mediocre after mediocre malt. Had a real slump in my reviews. I was in search of a new discovery. Well, I have made a new discovery in the Glenmorangie 12 year old Quinta Ruban.
This 12 year old malt tastes much older than it is. I feel like it is a 15 or 18 year old because of the vibrant flavors and sophistication of the overall integration of this malt. There is no young whisky here that is unruly. We are talking serious refinement.
The powerful flavors comes in part from the 46% ABV.
The velvety texture comes from being aged in the port pipes for 2 years.
The port is a nice change from the Oloroso sherry casks that are so frequently used in the single malt production carried out at so many distilleries.
This single malt reminds me of The Balvenie 21 year old Portwood finish. Another stunner! The Balvenie is superior to Glenmorangie, but one must remember that the former is one of the greatest single malts I have ever tasted. The Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban at a third of the price is still in the same neighbourhood!
This single malt is also non-chill filtered.
So, let's put it all together: higher than average ABV, port finish, non-chill filtered, plus obviously great wood (ex-bourbon casks) to start and you have a dream of a dram here. If you like sherried malts, you're gonna love this one. Fans of Oban 14, Clynelish 14, The Glenlivet 18, GlenDronach 15 and higher end Glenfarclas are going to really appreciate the Glenmorangie 12 year old Quinta Ruban matured in Port Casks. This malt puts to shame a lot of 12 year old competitors like The Macallan 12 years (a truly overrated dram if there ever was one!).
Highly recommended!
Cheers!
Jason Debly
Copyright © Jason Debly, 2009-2012. All rights reserved. Any and all use is prohibited without permission.
Posts
Great review, Jason! I never gave this one any consideration before, because no one ever seems to like it more than Glenmo Original, and I also assumed it was your run-of-the-mill 40-43% and chill filtered scotch. As I am growing and learning what I like in my scotch journey, I am placing more emphasis on higher ABV and non-chill filtered. To me, having that mouthfeel is really important. It helps you sip slowly and savor the dram. I will give this one some serious consideration, as it is also not overly expensive: sounds like great value.
ReplyDeleteRyan, it is very good. Truly exceptional. I am impressed that the high ABV does not impart any disappointing flash of raw alcohol or youngish whisky. If ever there was a velvety scotch, this is the one!
ReplyDeleteGuess i know what i'll be picking up next at the Duty Free. I plan to go through most of Glenmorangie's line this 2012 hopefully. I highly suggest you try their Nectar D'Or next time if you loved this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew! Will do my best!
DeleteJason, after reading this review, I couldn't resist the temptation to open up my bottle of Glenmorangie Original that I had in the cabinet. I know I will be in the minority here, but I found it totally unpalatable. The floraly/over-ripe fruit aroma churned my stomach, and I just couldn't drink it. I don't know, I know I'm weird on this one. Maybe it's because I'm allergic to pollen in flowers, smelling like flowers makes me feel sick. I don't know! Anyway, have you had Glenmo Original? Do you know if that same characteristic aroma shows up in Quinta Ruban?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Ryan, the Original and the Quinta Ruban are very different scotch whiskies. The former is floral and citrus like, whereas the latter is a bombastic portwood gem.
DeleteI have only had the Original in bars and it was not to my liking. But, if I had a new bottle and worked my way through it, who knows?
Bottom line: Quinta is nothing like the Original. Dont pass it up because of your bad experience with the Original.
Great, thanks!
DeleteRyan,
DeleteI also did not like the Original whatsoever. I found it to be bland and somewhat cloying with a sour finish.
I do like the laSanta quite a bit, I find it somewhat more interesting than the other sherried malts I have had.
Based on Jason's review I think I am going to have to give the Quinta Ruban a try.
Love the review...agree completely...initially I took a liking to the Nectar d'Or, but I now much prefer the Quinta Ruban. It does seem much older than 12 years. Can't wait for your opinion of the Balvenie Caribbean Cask....
ReplyDeleteKBailey
KBailey, Unfortunately the Balvenie Caribbean cask is not available where I live. But, if I travel, will keep and eye out for it.
DeleteI've received this as a gift, haven't opened it yet, but looking forward to it now. Cheers, Boris
ReplyDeleteBoris, you are in for a treat!
DeleteYup, it's seriously good whisky. I have a hard time picking between the Quinta Ruban and the Lasanta. They're both stunning examples of what good fortified wine finishes can do for scotch.
ReplyDeleteHi Jason,
ReplyDeleteNice review on the Quinta! I had the Lasanta when I was in Holland last week. Nice dram but still not as velvety as the Nectar d' Or. Wanted to buy the Quinta on my arrival in Sao Paulo yesterday but it was sold out! That is saying something I suppose.Will go for it next time. The Original is not bad as an everyday dram but it is a long way from both the Lasanta and the Nectar d' Or. And from the Quinta as well, after having read your review.
The original is one of the best entry level malts you can buy. This one is yet another Glenmorangie attempt at a powerful finish and it actually manages it for a change. I'm not a huge fan of port casks, too often these finishes are a fad or a novelty, this one might just stick.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, Glenmorangie has taken some chances with exotic finishes, but this one does work beautifully.
DeleteThe bad news is that I hear their master blender has left them. Hopefully, her departure will not affect this great malt.
This was my first single malt, and to this day is still my favorite. I would rank it above any other twelve year, including the Highland Park.
ReplyDeleteCheers and enjoy.
-Kevin