NV Glenmorangie Private Edition 8 Bacalta (46%)

<strong>Colour</strong>: Light gold.<br><br><strong>Nose</strong>: Fragrant, honeyed and sweet. Some ripe apricots, mead-like, and a curious minerally/flinty note, followed by some sweet white chocolate.<br><br><strong>Taste</strong>: An initial burst of mint toffee, with baked fruits such as caramelised oranges and apricots, lots of honeycomb, almonds and dates.<br><br><strong>Finish</strong>: A rich, syrupy aftertaste, with more caramelised citrus and pears, some creamy fudge, but always an intriguing mentholic/eucalyptus sensation in the background.<br><br><strong>Previous Private Edition Releases</strong>: 1. Sonnalta, 2. Finealta, 3. Artain, 4. Ealanta, 5. Companta, 6. Tusail, 7. Millsean.

<strong>Nose</strong>: An enticingly sweet nose with a hint of moss. Honey, vanilla and sweet candied orange marmalade form a backdrop to fresh croissant and over ripe grape.<br><br><strong>Taste</strong>: Toffee and spice lead the way followed closely by a mix of sweet and zesty caramelised orange, honey, gentle mouth coating pepper, a little nuttiness, mossy and touch of drying oak.<br><br><strong>Finish</strong>: A lovely long rich and a little spicy finish, the orange citrus and spice fades becoming a little earthy.<br><br><strong>Comment</strong>: I thought it would be sweeter going by the nose but it wasn't overly sweet at all which can sometimes be a problem with a Madeira cask finish were a whisky ends up too sweet, this was spot on. It isn't at the top of the Glenmorangie Private Edition League but it certainly qualifies to be in this elite group. Madeira cask matured whisky can be hit or miss and this has worked as well as any Madeira will with the Glenmorangie spirit. Another quality and interesting expression from Glenmorangie to experience on your whisky journey. Jan 2017, www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk