Friday, December 18, 2015

Whisky Review: Glenmorangie 12 Nectar D'Or vs. Glenmorangie 18 yrs

I have just left a whisky tasting at my club hosted by whisky dawg George, and pictured above were the featured whiskies.  And, I feel compelled by the Holy Spirit of whisky to let you know my insight of the evening:  In a heads-up challenge between Glenmorangie 12 yrs Nectar D'Or vs. Glenmorangie 18yrs, the 12 comes out on top.  It was astounding!  I had noticed this before at other tastings and just thought I had drunk too many other malts, and so could not properly appreciate the 18.  I was mistaken.  My earlier excitement for the 12 over the 18 was correct.

I found the Glenmorangie 18 to have a consistent quinine/tonic water finish that just put me off a little.  The price is fiercely expensive and so I expect near perfection.  Where I live it is $157 a bottle.

Meanwhile, in saunters the Glenmorangie 12 year old that was finished in Sauternes casks, and it is a total delight for less than half the price of the 18.


Cheers!



Jason Debly

20 comments:

  1. Hey Jason,
    Where would the 12 yr sit against the Quinta Ruban.. That being the only GM I've tried so far.
    AL

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    Replies
    1. Al, the Quinta Ruban and the 12 Nectar are very different in terms of flavors presented. Quinta is obviously got pronounced classic port flavors of strawberries, red fruits and dry fig. Nectar is on the honeyed side of the flavor profile with lemon, citrus notes. Both are great and depends on one's mood.

      Happy Holidays!

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  2. If I don't chat before...
    You and your family have a fantastic Christmas !! Forecast is for a stinking hot day, so beer will be the order of the day. I assume it will be more temperate up there Ha Ha !! So something ... warming ? What will be the go ?

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    Replies
    1. In my part of the world, it will be 0-3 degrees Celsius. Pretty mild. All the snow (what little we have) will melt away. Global warming is definitely a factor where I live. When I was a kid, snow arrived by Halloween and didnt leave till April and i am talking 4 ft high snowbanks lining the street.

      I think my dram on the 25th will be Poit Dhubh 12yrs, a nice gem i recently discovered but need to review.

      Cheers and Merry Christmas!

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    2. I too remember the days of waking up to a few feet of snow by this time.... long are the days of outdoor hockey rinks by November... As for you Christmas drink of choice...Ah yes! This is made by the same company that also makes Te Bheag. I recently stumbled across Te Bheag myself and I believe THIS is the "Honda Accord" of whiskies that we are looking for. posts. CHEAP enough to drink mixed, refined enough with no burn to drink neat, smooth, and just enough complexity imo to keep it interesting and have people ask "hey thats good, what it is?" (just under $40 in QUEEBEK (Quebec)) and imho is better than JW Black which has crept up to nearly $55 for a 750ml). I have seen the 8yr old and 12yr old Poit Dhub, but the price (60 and 75) are what kept me back at first. But if you're "backing" it Jason, i may spoil myself and pull the trigger on the 12 yr old...

      Lupo

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    3. I am on my third bottle of Poit Dhub. Cracking the bottle tonight!

      Happy Holidays!

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  3. I agree with this 100 perecent. The Nectar D'Or is one of my favorites and I've recommended it to several people as one of the best-tasting scotches and nobody yet has been disappointed.

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  4. First time commentator. Snow?! Try living in Wyoming. There, you will see snow! Anyway, I agree with your assessment of Nectar D'Or. However, and it is a major however for me, I feel that this one suffers severely from the impact of oxidation. First opening pour, fantastic. But, over a month, watch out. This one, from my experience, suffers from oxidation more than any other whiskey I have tried.

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    Replies
    1. Interesting observation. Oxidation is a bigger for some whiskies over others, and where the taste of Nectar D'Or is delicate, I could see that happen. Interestingly, I have been drinking freshly opened bottles of late.

      Thank you for commenting and hopefully you will pipe in more often.

      Merry Christmas!

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  5. Nectar d'Or is so sweet that in my mind, when remembering, i feel like I have drunk honey and not a 40+ ABV whisky.

    It Sauternes BTW not Sauturenes

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ok... Let me throw another one at you...
    The Nectar vs Glenfid solara. There is only $7 difference. Nectar at $98 Glenfid $105....
    Your thoughts?

    AL (from OZ)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both are incredibly similar. Save the $7 and go for the Nectar.

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  7. Bought The Nectar. Had a bit of bite to start with.... We had to keep telling ourselves.. no sherry....Added water from 1 to 2ml ... Wow ! Different Nose and taste. A lot more enjoyable with water Jason... to us anyway. Would buy again. Still prefer the Quinta Ruban over this though.
    AL (from OZ)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Al! Glad to hear you gave the Nectar a go. if you found it a little nippy at first, sometimes it might be something you ate earlier, something spicy.

      Water is always great to use to modify your tasting experience. Some whiskies I need to add anywhere from a drop to a teaspoon to get the optimum taste experience for me.

      Cheers!

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  8. Can you tell me.....
    I think it was Ralfy.... He throws a number of teaspoons of water in some of glasses....
    Why that much ?
    AL

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    Replies
    1. Some malts improve with water while others do not and are best unadulterated and neat.

      For example, I find a double pour of Cragganmore is immensely improved by a teaspoon of water. Other whiskies need mere drops of water to bring out pleasing taste. All about experimentation. Ralfy evidently likes a bit of a splash. All up to you.

      One final note though, I find whiskies that have an ABV of 45% or more generally improve with water and cask strength are not intended to be consumed at full strength but rather cut quite bit with water.

      Cheers!

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  9. For me, the nectar d'or sometimes has a sour taste on the midpalate. But not other times and is thoroughly enjoyable. The 18, though, is like heaven. Luscious honey drenched oranges. Luckily, I can find it for only $99 and I think its well worth it. Once I finish the nectar, definitely going to pick up a bottle of of the quinta.

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  10. I have several bottles of the 12 yr old and I like it a lot.
    I was also told that Scotch older than 12 are not really worth it, so not to bother.

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    Replies
    1. I would not adhere to such a rigid maxim. The reason why is that every malt whisky will peak at a different time. For example, Oban hits its peak at 14 yrs. Highland Park, for me, the 18 or 21, and after that it just tastes too woody (ie. the 25yr old).

      Laphroaig at 10yrs is too wild for me but at 18, truly in its prime.

      Meanwhile American whisky like bourbon matures much quicker, and for that reason you do not see many bourbons aged into double digits (10+). I speculate that bourbon matures more quickly in part because of the warmer clime.

      So, I think I would not worry about the age statement as much as the taste. I would agree that in the past consumers have sometimes had an unhealthy fixation on age statements with the older being necessarily better. Nonsense.

      I find that after 18yrs whiskies are not better, but rather just different. I have tried 25 and 30 yr age statement whiskies. Many were just too woody or strong while others were a dream.

      Cheers!

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