With the Palo Cortado Finish, the Glenmorangie Distillery presents for the first time a whisky that was matured in Palo Cortado Sherry casks. It spent four of a total of 12 years of maturation in the casks in which this special and rare type of sherry was previously stored. The limited edition, which was released in the Barrel Select series, was bottled at 46 % ABV.
The third edition of the Barrel Select series
In the Barrel Select series, the Glenmorangie Highland Distillery presents special cask maturations that reflects Dr. Bill Lumsden’s (Director for Whisky Creation) love for experimentation. The Glenmorangie Palo Cortado Finish is the third single malt in the series following the Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish and the Glenmorangie Cognac Cask Finish.
The Palo Cortado Sherry is a variation of the Amontillado, but the protective “flor” yeast does not remain on the sherry surface during its maturation, as Moet Hennessy informs in a press release about the new product. In these casks, which were kissed by the sweet sherry, Dr. Lumsden filled the single malt after eight years of pre-maturation in ex-bourbon casks. It continued to mature there for four more years and was infused with aromas of prunes, milk chocolate, nuts and spices to be a very complex whisky with sweet spicyness. It was bottled at 46.0% ABV.
Producer’s tasting notes for the Glenmorangie Palo Cortado Finish
Colour: Burnt Amber
Nose: Rich, elegant and rounded. Toffee, fudge and vanilla sweetness entwine with mossy notes and mulled wine hints. Then come scents of honeyed ginger and milk-chocolate truffle dusted with cinnamon. A splash of water reveals notes of orange sherbet, carnations and Brazil nuts.
Taste: An oily yet peppery texture leads to a burst of rich, sweet flavours. Treacle toffee and milk chocolate are threaded with notes of clove, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Meanwhile, fruity undertones of raisins, dark plums and bitter orange find delectable balance with baking ryebread and salted nuts.
Finish: Long and nutty, brimming with spice, leather and a touch of aniseed.
Images: Moet Hennessy