This whisky is a reimagining of a classic from the north Highland distillery of Glenmorangie. The Lasanta 15 Years Old maintains the refined combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso sherry cask maturation of previous issues of The Lasanta, but with an older age statement. It joins others in the core range, which have seen similar age increases across the board.
Last year The Original added two years to become 12 Years Old, while the ex-Port cask finished Quinta Ruban changed from 12- to 14 Years Old. The ex-Sauternes cask Nectar D’or, now simply named Nectar, moved from 14- to 16 Years Old. The reimagined set of whiskies have been created by Dr. Bill Lumsden, the Director of Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie, and Gillian Macdonald, the Master Blender.
Glenmorangie Lasanta is a whisky that elicits the radiant wonder of sunset and has been a favourite of Glenmorangie fans for some time. Now aged for 15 years in an enhanced selection of bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, we’ve introduced even more complex and elegant notes to this whisky, all working together in delicious balance.
Dr. Bill Lumsden – Director of Whisky Creation, Glenmorangie.
Glenmorangie was founded in 1843 by William Matheson. It is located in the north Highland town of Tain. However, the distillery was originally named Morangie; only becoming Glenmorangie in 1887. It has an annual production capacity of six million litres. The stills are the tallest in Scotland standing at over five metres (16.5 feet). This is the same height as an adult male giraffe. It also uses the hardest water of any Scotch whisky distillery in production. This comes from the nearby Tarlogie Springs. The distillery and brand are currently owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey.
The Glenmorangie 15 Years Old The Lasanta is bottled at 43% ABV. It will be available in the UK from April and then rolled out to all current Glenmorangie global markets in the coming months. A bottle will cost £54, which represents a tiny increase in price from the former 12 Years Old version.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is deep coppery gold. The nose is fruity and sweet but with a lovely pinch of baking spice. Aromas of dried fruits – think of raisin and apricot especially – and runny honey lead the way. Then comes perfumed florals, such as honeysuckle, and sweet vanilla essence. Finally some cocoa powder, followed by dusty baking spices – imagine cinnamon, mace and clove – plus a further hint of dried tobacco leaf.
On the palate this whisky is rich, bold and fruity but with plenty of wood spice sitting underneath. It has a lovely texture, which feels almost viscous and oily. The whisky feels highly honeyed, especially runny honey, and has an accompanying notes of apricot jam that compliments. The apricot element threatens to go more tropical towards the end, but holds back just enough. Then comes crumbly brown sugar and a gentle caramel-like note, plus vanilla sponge cake, raisin and sultana. Hints of bitter orange oil and baked red apple are also evident.
The woody and oaky spices are never far away. There is also a distinct nutty quality, which is reminiscent of toasted walnut and hazelnut praline. Then come the warming baking spices – think of fresh gingerbread, cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg. A hint dessicated coconut and some milk chocolate, plus some lightly toasted oak evolve nicely towards the end.
The finish of decent length and feels particularly decadent. It becomes woodier, drier and spicier with time. A distinct plum jam characteristic makes it feel rich and autumnal. An underlying sweetness becomes more wispy and icing-sugar-like right at the end. A gripping oakiness is present throughout.
What’s The Verdict?
The Lasanta has long been a classic whisky in the Glenmorangie range and is the last of the core products to see its age increased. Is it an upgrade? It is difficult to say to be honest. What we can say is that it is a very nice whisky and one that shows what great ex-sherry cask maturation can look like, without being a ‘sherry bomb’.
It is also good that Glenmorangie have kept the price similar to that of the previous version. A price hike could easily have happened on all of the core range products due to increasing the age. Definitely a whisky to sip, savour and put you feet up with.
