It's been a while since the last review and, considering I have a bottle that's deserving and nearing its end, it's time. This is one of only a few open bottles that made the move to MN, mostly because it's special and I wanted to write it up. A gift for the birth our second son, who's just turning one, the subject today is called Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake.
Glenmorangie makes single malt Scotch whisky and is a Highland distillery (see here for an explanation of the regions), located fairly far north (past Inverness) along the east coast in Scotland. We visited briefly during our second trip to the country, in 2017, while doing most of the North Coast 500. We looked around a little and checked out the gift shop but didn't do a tour or tasting. Luckily for us the still room can be seen through a couple glass doors that allow anyone to view the distillery's pride and joy, the tallest stills in Scotland. It wasn't the most picturesque distillery but it was still a place I would've enjoyed seeing more thoroughly because they make a good dram. As for pronunciation you really hit the second syllable hard. Whenever I can use a Brian Cox video I will, so here it is:
Known as the 'distillers of Tain' Glenmorangie has been around since 1843, and the site was known to be a brewery before becoming a distillery. As was typical with many whisky makers, production shut down in the early 1930s, as a result of Prohibition, and in the early 1940s, as a result of WWII. Glenmorangie rebounded in the second half the 20th century and expanded significantly through the 70s, 80s and 90s, adding stills and other production equipment as well as surrounding land. In 2004 the long-time owners of the distillery sold it to LVMH, a huge French company that also owns Ardbeg, who began marketing their whisky as more of a luxury item. This is when they started using the distinctive tall curvy bottles that somewhat imitate their stills. LVMH also continued expansion and took the total number of stills to 12 (six wash, six spirit), a large number that allows considerable production capability. They credit a mineral-rich water source and those extra tall stills for much of what makes their whisky unique, as only the lightest, most delicate vapors can escape to be included the spirit to be aged.
There are quite a few expressions available from Glenmorangie. Their entry-level is called The Original, which has a 10 year age statement and, while not extraordinary, is a good introduction to single malts (recommended here). Based on the Original they also offer 'extra matured' versions that spend additional time in different barrels. These are The Lasanta (sherry casks, 12 years) and The Quinta Ruban (port casks, 14 years). Another, the Nectar D'or, is a little different but was the favorite of both my wife and I (of those thus far) after sampling a tasting box from the distillery a couple months ago. Beyond these relatively affordable bottles are when Glenmorangie does actually get fancy. You'll frequently see the 18 year Extremely Rare (~$100) and it's not all that uncommon to see Signet ($200+) either. I'm very interested in trying the latter at some point. Then there are a bunch of yearly experimental releases, which I'm sure someone is collecting, and more beyond that.
A Tale of Cake is very unusual, and as a 'Limited Edition' was likely a one and done bottling. Inspired by pineapple upside down cake and in an attempt to craft a single malt that actually tastes like cake, the spirit was finished in Tokaji dessert wine casks, a Hungarian variety. In all honesty this was not a something I sought out. I typically don't enjoy highly sweet whiskies, one example being the Arran Amarone Cask. But since a friend vouched for it and bought me a bottle I wasn't going to say no. It turned out I was glad to get it.
Stats:
ABV - 46% (92 proof)
Mash - 100% malted barley
Maturation - presumably Bourbon casks before the Tokaji dessert wine casks
Region - Highland
Age - Unknown, so at least three years (likely much more)
Price - ~$100
Smell - The barley ('Scotch-y') is there, a depth of tropical fruits, something nutty?
Color - Full, fairly typical amber
Taste - Very sweet, pungent fruit (apricot? orange?), cream, still more in the background
Finish - Such a delicate spirit, burn is short but some candy-like sweetness lives on
Final Thoughts:
I have to say I think they pulled it off. Even if not the same it reminds you of a delightfully light and luscious cake, dessert in a glass, and it goes great with real cake too. It's a quality and well-executed whisky that despite everything said isn't overwhelmingly sweet. This would probably be a hit with Bourbon fans who haven't really liked Scotch before. And it's a winner with me too, especially considering it's completely unique. Thanks for another great gift Jake, and a Scotch this time!
For tonight, cheers.
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