12-year-old Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish
The fifth edition of the Barrel Select Release series is presented
The Glenmorangie Distillery is not only known for the fine and fruity style of their single malt whisky, but also for the experimentation of its Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks: Dr Bill Lumsden loves creating limited editions by using special casks. This is also the case with the Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish that has now been presented.
This is the fifth edition of the Barrel Select Release series, in which unusual maturations are released in small batches. Following the Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish, the Glenmorangie Cognac Cask Finish, the Glenmorangie Palo Cortado Finish and the Glenmorangie Amontillado Finish, the Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish is now available. This is the first time that Glenmorangie has used Calvados casks for maturation. For this edition, a 10-year maturation in bourbon casks was followed by a two-year finish of the whisky in casks that previously held Calvados du Pays d'Auge from Normandy for twenty years.
Sents of baked pears and tasts of toffee apples
Dr Bill Lumsden says: "At Glenmorangie, we are always experimenting with ways to create delicious whiskies. Since Calvados casks have never been used before at Glenmorangie, I was intrigued to see how their elegant, orchard notes would complement our whisky’s award-winning fruity style, with a judicious finish. Glenmorangie Calvados Finish is a wonderful addition to our Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts. Entwining scents of baked pears, vanilla and jasmine with tastes of toffee apples, lemon balsam and spice, this rare whisky takes all that is good about Glenmorangie, to richly delicious new heights."
The Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish has been bottled at 46% ABV and will be available from German retailers from 12 February 2024. The recommended retail price from Moet Hennessy Germany is 75 Euros.
Producer’s Tasting Notes for the Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish
Colour: Bright Gold
Nose: A most fragrant whisky at full strength, with notes of baked apples, pears, vanilla, almond and a slightly waxy note. With water, some fragrant, floral notes emerge, like narcissus, jasmine and heather honey. Finally, the aroma of baking sweet pastries is found.
Taste: The mouthfeel is oily and spicy at the same time, and leads into a burst of rich sweet flavours. Baked pears, toffee apple, almond marzipan and chocolate praline are found, along with some lemon balsam, eucalyptus and a touch of charcoal.
Finish: Long, lingering and almost slightly cooling in nature.
Images: Moet Hennessy
