Glenmorangie 10 Year old & 12 Year old ‘Lasanta’ Single Malt Whisky Review

Glenmorangie is often seen a quintessential single malt to try when embarking on your whisky journey and much is made of their having the tallest stills in Scotland making their whisky smooth and easy.

Certainly I’m no stranger to a bottle of Glenmorangie and I definitely see it as a gateway brand, one that will ease you into Scotch or whisky in general but one that over time you are likely to break away from to find something a little more exciting.

But every now and again I like to return to old stomping grounds and reacquaint myself with those drams that at one time I found so engaging and interesting, or that helped my whisky education. It helps me not to get ‘notions’ about myself.

I finished these bottles before I left Ireland for Florida and so cannot remember the price I paid but it was around RRP. 

These bottles still remain easily available pretty much globally but as of 2024 the 10 year old ‘Original’ gained an extra slice of maturity and is now sold as a 12 year old expression but is still an all bourbon cask maturation.

The LaSanta is still their sherried version using a combination of Pedro Ximinez and Oloroso casks for the extra maturation. The LaSanta has also seen some changes with it now receiving a 15 year age statement in the UK although the 12 year old is still available here in the US. I assume that will change in the near future.

Let’s taste.

Glenmorangie 10 Year Old 40% abv

The replacement 12 year old 'Original' is currently priced at £35 on Master of Malt / $39.99 on Total Wine

Nose: Honey, malt, tinned peaches and pineapple chunks, lemonade and some orange zest. Camomile. Some oak and freshly cut flowers. Some cinnamon too.

Palate: A little thin as per the 40% abv. Battenberg cake, vanilla, honey, malted milk biscuits, orchard fruit as well as pineapple. A dusting of white pepper and soft oak.

Finish: Shortish in length but is a little saccharine sweet with a bit of clove and toasted oak.

Score: 5 out of 10

Overall: Bright, clean and sweet. A perfectly acceptable entry into the world of Scotch whisky.

Glenmorangie 12 Year Old ‘Lasanta’ 43% abv

10 years in bourbon, 2 years in combination of PX & Oloroso

Seemingly no longer available in the UK / $75 on Total Wine

Nose: Strawberry laces, plums, light raisin notes, orange peel and honey. Almonds, cinnamon, blueberries and some new leather. A slight mint note too.

Palate: Honey, malt and tinned fruit salad plus sherry sweetness with apricots, sultanas, marzipan and clove. A solid dose of oak comes through to temper the sweetness. Orange zest and milk chocolate.

Finish: Short to medium with citrus oils, warming clove and dark brown sugar

Score: 6 out of 10

Overall: Solid if a little uninspiring but probably a good place to start in the world of sherried whiskies as the sherry element is not completely overwhelming.

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