Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition

Glenmorangie Tusail is the sixth Private Edition release. Tusail means "originary" or "originating" in gaelic. Tusail features the use of the Maris Otter strain of barley. There is no age statement. The reviewed bottle belongs to my sister. The bottle was opened 3 1/2 months ago, and the reviewed sample was decanted at the time that the bottle was opened

Nose: yes the Tusail nose is all about the barley, and this is quite an interesting and noticeably different barley than most. The cereal element of barley is front and center and this is a barley of rich medium and deep pitches. There is a toasted quality to the barley flavour. Grassy? The 'grassy' becomes more apparent when the malt takes air for 10-20 minutes. The citrus so common to other 'malty malts' is just hinted at around the edges. There is a lot of sweetness here, but it does have a good dry-edged balance

Taste: that pointed sweet-dry balance from the nose is sharply translated to the palate. Both sweet and dry are sharply tasted. There is more sourness on the palate than in the nose. The barley flavours are strong in the mouth, and convey a roasted flavour which hints of chocolate. The wood flavours are more noticeable in the mouth than in the nose. The mouthfeel is a little viscous, almost syrupy

Finish: medium length for most of the flavours, but a sourness lingers long

Balance: this goes too sour at the end. Glenmorangie Tusail is quite an interesting malt because you can really taste the difference in the barley used compared to most other malts. The nose is very enjoyable. Those who like "malty malts" are likely to enjoy Tusail. Others may find Tusail a little boring and non-descript

Water added: 1) weakens a good nose, 2)brings out great sweetness on the palate, and, 3) mellowed out the finish a great deal. Nosing this without water and then drinking it with a couple of drops of water is a good plan

Strength: strong intensity of most of the flavours present. Score 23/ 25 points

Quality: nice quality of the barley flavours; a bit weak with the wood influence. Score: 21/ 25 points

Variety: limited in the number of flavours, which is not too surprising because this Edition intends to highlight this particular straing of barley. Score: 20/25 points

Harmony: great harmony in the nose, good harmony on the palate, goes sour at the finish. Score: 20/25 points

Total non-sequential score: 84/100 points

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