Review: Glenmorangie A Midwinter Night’s Dram
No, not that A Midwinter Nights Dram. This is a single malt from the beloved Highland Scotch producer Glenmorangie. You’ve probably never even seen this bottle on a shelf since it was a limited edition released only in the United Kingdom way back in the fall of 2015, when the world was a simpler, less germophobic place. This bottle of Glenmo carries no age statement, but it’s reportedly a mix of single malt aged in ex-bourbon casks and Oloroso sherry to create a profile appropriate for the winter season. To call this a belated review would be a serious understatement, but as I’ve come across a few of these online and in specialty shops recently, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to put A Midwinter Night’s Dram through its paces for those Glenmorangie fans that might want to add it to their collection. Thoughts follow.
No real surprises here. This is classic, sherry-aged Glenmorangie. It’s actually not too far removed from the Oloroso-finished Lasanta expression in the core lineup, although this does feel a bit softer and perhaps better balanced. The aroma is rich and waxy with notes of honeycomb and ripe cantaloupe. As things open, the sherry influence builds with toasted nuts, caramelized sugar, and a bit of fig jam, but it’s not as punchy as Lasanta with plenty of that classic, golden Glenmorangie character shining through. On the palate, a similar balance ensues with orange blossom honey and shortbread biscuits giving way to sugared almonds, baking spice, and a subtle note of warm berry cobbler. The finish is light, yielding a gingery, warming spice and a bit of clove-studded orange.
86 proof.
