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Bottled after at least 26 years, possibly 27, the Grand Vintage Malt 1991 was matured in a mix of Oloroso Sherry Butts and ex-Burgundy barrels. This is the 4th release in the Glenmorangie Bond House Collection! 43% abv.
Producer Description: “Marrying two profoundly different wood-finished whiskies, Glenmorangie Vintage Malt 1991 is the fourth limited-edition release in our celebrated Bond House No.1 collection, created to showcase some of the distillery’s most scarce vintages. The collection was named after the largest of Glenmorangie’s 19th-century bonded warehouses which was home to our casks of maturing spirit until it was transformed into our towering still house in 1990.”
“This whisky began in Glenmorangie’s copper stills, the tallest in Scotland. Their height ensures only the finest vapours reach the top, for a smoother, more elegant spirit. Distilled in 1991, it was long aged in bourbon casks, then transferred into different casks for finishing, to gain new dimensions of flavour. Finally, after 26 years, Dr Bill knew this exceptional malt was ready to share. ”
“While revisiting some of 1991’s rare parcels of wood-finished whisky many years later, Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, was inspired to defy convention and bring together two contrasting whisky styles. While both had been long-aged in ex-bourbon casks, one of the parcels he selected had been finished in Oloroso sherry butts for sweetness and spice; the other in Burgundy barrels for earthy, truffle notes. He then expertly softened them with a hint of whisky that had aged in new toasted oak. Married together after 26 years’ maturation, they form an expression of exceptional intensity.”

Andrew's Tasting Note
Nose: plum pudding, figs in honey, and Fruit & Nut chocolate bars; chocolate covered strawberries; creme caramel and maple syrup; earthy with gentle leather and loose leaf tobacco; dried apricots and a touch of more tropical fruits.
Palate: big, rich, nutty and very fruity;more plum pudding, figs in honey and loads of jammy fruits: quince paste and mixed berry jam; more Fruit & Nut chocolate with raw new leather, and more tobacco leaf; very complex with lots of layers; more chocolate covered strawberries, candied ginger and decadent spices; soft, earthy and musty dunnage warehouse notes; almost too many layer; underneath tropical fruits struggling to get out.
Finish: long rich and very chocolate-y; elegant and pleasing; fading fruits struggle with leather and gentle spices.
Comment: this is a big, elegant and complex single malt which far surpassed my expectations; I'm always leary of wine casks, but they were employed deftly here;a brilliant whisky with lovely tropical fruits beneath the many other layers!
Producer’s Tasting Note
Nose: Mellow and deep. Scents of apricots, plums and baked apples play alongside chocolate notes, with a suggestion of truffles and star anise.
Taste: Subtle and peppery on the palate, with ripe plums, cherries, raspberries and stewed apples, coated in milk chocolate. Then a long finish filled with citrus notes, sweet spices and oak.