Here we are in day #2 of our videoed whisky tastings with Glenmorangie’s Global Ambassador, Mr. David Blackmore.

Yesterday we learned a good deal about Glenmorangie – how they source their wood/casks, their philosophy on wood management and more.  Plus, we got a better understanding of where flavor comes from and how it’s imparted to the whisky.  And of course, we got to taste the Glenmorangie Original.

If you missed yesterday’s post, here is a link to it.  These videos flow together so you will benefit from having seen the one prior to this before moving onto today’s video.

Today we learn about the Glenmorangie Lasanta – their new Extra-Matured whisky which spent 10 years in American White Oak then an additional two years in Oloroso Sherry casks.  Additionally, David goes into the history of the Extra-Matured range – great stuff (if you ask me)!

Enjoy!!

And hey, there’s more!! Here’s a supplemental surprise for those of you who loved the old Sherry Wood Glenmo:

Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society’s official tasting notes on the Glenmorangie Lasanta

Highlands Region – 46% ABV – $45 | £39 | €45

On the nose –  For spending only 2 years in a sherry cask, the sherry-type notes are pretty prominent…

Think prunes, boozey raisins and spice.

Heavy metal leather jackets a la Judas Priest circa 1983 (or there abouts), dark chocolates and old harris tweed suits.

Cherry wood and lacquer notes.

Those lovely peach Glenmorangie notes come forth but there’s a heaviness to it that makes it somewhat different from that Glenmo-peach note I’m used to.

Smoked-salt on watermelon is in here too.

On the mouth – Ooey & oily mouthfeel.  It’s all about dark chocolate here.  Big and powerful, sweet yet sharp and then a bit of tang.

Very sweet, almost cloying but it gets turned around right quick with some red wine tannins and fruits — we’re talking cranberry and blackberry.

Fresh soil notes and then citrus and a bit of creamy malt (better yet, a malted milk ball).

Finish – Nice dry finish with a lasting sweetness that seems to be balanced out by an earthy quality.

In sum – I had this whisky when it first came out in 2007/8 and was not a fan.  This is the 2010 version and it just seems more mature and balanced.  The sherry finish is nicely integrated and the balance between the sweet and dry is nice as is the addition of earthy notes and a touch of citrus floating above it all.  This is a late night dram that will help to you to get your ideas out; open up your brain a bit.

You can view days 1, 3 and 4 of this video series, here, here and here (respectively).

A few months back I got together with Mr. Blackmore (pictured right) to record a video series.  This video series.  Actually, the full story is that he and his wife invited us (“us” being the full Hatton compliment – me, the wife and our two kids) over to their house for some food, drinks and fun times (don’t get dirty now!).

This video tasting series is something I’ve wanted to do with David for some time so, during the visit, while the ladies (both of the short and tall variety) were upstairs, David and I went downstairs into his whisky tasting room and reviewed the Glenmorangie line — or at least a large part of it.

Today is day one of this four day series.  The idea behind it is not just to go over tasting notes on whiskies (been there, done that and others do it much better that I).  Rather, the idea and hope is to give people an idea of what a tasting seminar might be like.  I hope that what you’ll see over the next few days will not only entertain but also educate you.

In hindsight, I think my attire should have been a bit less… dress-down-knock-around but that’ll have to be for the next series.  Anyway, it’s the content regarding the whisky that matters, right?  Right.

Enjoy Day one and come back for days two through four!

Tasting notes on the Glenmorangie Original (as tasted in May of 2010 by six of the local Connecticut JSMWS members – the notes are combined group notes):

The Original – Ten Years – 43% ABV – $29 – $39 | £26 (UK version is bottled at 40% ABV)

On the nose — Cirtusy, honeyed citrus candies, slight smoke & pineapples, grassy, vanilla bean ice cream.

On the mouth – Lemongrass, more honey, a bit thin but has a bit of an attack (“softens a touch with a drop of H2O” — John), pecans & oaky vanilla

Finish – (Here’s where tended to differ)  One of us thought the finish was surprisingly long while another thought it was “shorter than an oompa-loompa churning cream & sugar”  (Ok, I threw that analogy in.  It was better than just saying it was a short finish, right?).  I found the finish to be medium in length, a bit effervescent and with the slightest twinge of smoke (hugely slight!).

You can view days 2, 3 and 4 of this video series, here, here and here (respectively).