We tried this particular expression at the University of Edinburgh Water of Life Society Glenmorangie & Dessert Wine Tasting along with the Original, Lasanta, and Quinta Ruban. These four expressions represent the core range from Glenmorangie and provide an excellent experiment in cask influence. Nectar D’Or basically means golden nectar. While the name is not exactly French, it does have a certain French-ness to it which is to emphasize the fact that this whisky has been finished in ex-sauternes wine casks. Sauternes wine is a white sweet wine hailing from the Sauternais region of Bordeaux. It has a fascinating production which relies on the growth of a fungus called Botrytis cinerea to concentrate the sugars in the grapes. Due to the dependence on the growth of this fungus, Sauternes wine is difficult to make and yields varies greatly depending on the conditions each season. Thus due to the laws of supply and demand, this is not a cheap wine and ex-sauternes wine casks are not in abundance, so it’s always exciting to see whisky matured in Sauternes wine casks.
Unlike the Lasanta and Quinta Ruban, the Glenmorangie does not state the length of finishing for the Nectar D’Or.
Distillery: Glenmorangie
Age: 12 Years Old
Cask: Ex-bourbon casks and then finished in ex-sauternes wine casks
ABV: 46%
Price: £54.13 at the Master of Malt
TheMadVatter
Nose
Pineapple cake, fresh cardboard, frosting, crisp white wine.
Taste
Sticky prickly sweet like pineapple cake with fresh cream and sugary soaked cake. Tart and spicy with tropical fruits soaked in rum. Jungle juice. Slight bit of lemon squares.
Finish
Sticky sweetness clings to the roof of the mouth with a bitter wood hugging the back of the palate. Like licking pineapple ice cream of a bamboo stick.
Rating
7.5
Afterthoughts
The nose feels a bit closed but the palate is where this dram shines with lovely lively tropical fruits. It collapses a bit on the finish but in a fun “crashing after a hard night of partying” kind of way. the whole experience is quite enjoyable. This should be a crowd pleaser.
Adventures in Whisky Land 