Glenmorangie Milsean Private Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

The seventh instalment of Glenmorangie's highly anticipated annual Private Collection, 'Milsean' (pronounced meel-shawn, meaning 'sweet things' in Gaelic) has caused quite a stir with the SWA (Scotch Whisky Association). The whisky is part of an industry push to experiment with maturation techniques, with Glenmorangie's Dr Bill Lumsden at the forefront.

Initially matured in ex-Bourbon casks for an undisclosed period of time, the finishing process under scrutiny saw the re-toasting of red wine casks sourced from the Duoro region in Portugal, resulting in an increased amount of caramelised sugars inside the oak - a questionable "flavour addition" as viewed by the SWA, which is not permitted in the production of Scotch Whisky.   "Normally, the wine barrels are scraped clean before re-toasting and being used for finishing. Then we’d just kind of wait to see what sort of flavour profile we ended up with.” explains, Lumsden.

Needless to say, the SWA did not put a halt to this release. The result is a malty, confectionary delight;   "Extra-maturing Glenmorangie in heavily toasted red wine casks has allowed us to create a whisky recalling a bygone era". says Lumsden. "A glass of Milsean transports me straight to an old-fashioned sweet shop".

Approximately 60,000 bottles available worldwide.

Tasting note: Polished brass. Creamy vanilla malt with later evidence of peppermint rock lolly. Second pass finds evidence of candied orange peel / orange barley sugar. Creamy entry leads into a semi-sweet, full bodied, peppery attack. The underlying peppermint freshness is almost rye-like. Some plummy sweetness and increased oak input at the finish. Creamy choc-fudge and light ginger bread aftertaste. Delicious whisky, but don't expect anything profound. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... the odd kumquat does battle with a big vanilla oak kick... opens up far more on delivery than it does on the nose: juicy barley goes on full salivating duty. Light spices pulse while a tangy marmalade (thick cut) ramps up the sharpness; the marmalade bitterness continues, but slowly morphs into a cocoa theme. Superb weight and pace to the development helped by the malt being on standby at all times. A quite beautiful malt which goes out of its way to put the orangey in 'Morangie. 94 points 46% Alc./Vol.
- Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2016