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Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition

Average score from 2 reviews and 4 ratings 87

Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition

Product details

  • Brand: Glenmorangie
  • Bottler: Distillery Bottling
  • Series: Private Edition
  • ABV: 46.0%

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@markjedi1
Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition

The Tùsail is the 6th whisky in the so-called Private Edition series (previously there was also the Sonnalta PX, Finealta, Artein, Ealanta and Companta; the successors of the Tùsail are the Milsean and the recently released Baccalta). This one is different as it was distilled from Maris Otter barley, a winter variety that was introduced in 1965.

The nose is quite interesting, actually. I get the typical sweet notes of Glenmorangie, but this one also shows some sweet malt, vanilla cookies, and handful of nuts (hazelnuts in the lead) and toffee. Reminds me somewhat of Werther’s Originals. Some fresh and very juicy mandarin in the background.

It is very creamy with loads of nuts and sweet malt – in that sense a nice continuation of the nose – but also quite spicy in the guise of ginger and cinnamon, a single clove and some chili pepper. Yes, this is quite nice. It even has a dark side as if from stewed apricot and candied orange peel. I quite like this. And I applaud this is bottled at 46%.

The finish is fairly long, sweet and spicy. I get a surge of dades at the death.

Tùsail is Gaelic for ‘original’ or ‘initial’, which refers to the two-row barley Maris Otter which used to be much more common for whisky production, but was abandoned in favor of barley with higher yields. This bottle can still be found for 125 to 150 EUR.

I really enjoyed the bottles I had of this, and agree with your mark. Several more have showed up here, but I'm not sure I want to pay double the price of the regular 10 YO. Might spring for a few though, as it's quite good.

@Victor

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

I like this one a bit more, maybe an 85-86. I agree that it is definitely a noticeably different barley with strong cereal notes, and a thick mouth feel. I didn't pick up any unpleasant sourness but a malty, cereal-like finish that some may see that way. Compared it HTHTH with Glenmorangie Original (10) and Nadurra (16). Found it in comparison to maybe be a 12 YO? Obviously I enjoyed it enough to go out and buy two more bottles the next day. I do like the Glenmorangie annual releases as they are quality malts with a bit of flair. I don't think they would work as part of the regular lineup, but do as interesting one-offs. Last year I bought 6 of the Companta, which I really enjoy, so this one ranks a bit lower with me.

@Victor thanks for yet another brilliant review. I can almost taste the flavors and I don't think I'm too impressed!

Not a huge fan of these NAS Glenmos including the artisans so wouldnt mind giving this one a miss.

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