Thursday, March 3, 2011

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban


Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, 12yr, 46% ABV, VA ABC stock# 005105 $49.95 (750ml)

http://www.glenmorangie.com/our-whiskies/quinta-ruban

Manufacturers Tasting notes:

Aroma

Dark mint chocolate, tangerines and Seville oranges mingle with sandalwood and walnut before giving way to a spicy finish of pepper and nutmeg.

Taste

Mint chocolate and walnuts envelop the palate like velvet, laying the foundations for rose, Turkish delight and sweet Seville oranges.

Finish

Long lasting silky aftertaste leaving dark chocolate mints and traces of orange

Nathan: Gazing down at my glass, the Quinta Ruban has an almost peach color to it. Breathing it in, I can pick up on the pepper and nutmeg, with a very slight hint of citrus. After putting it down, and giving it another whiff, I detect chocolate. Yum.

Jen: The coloring of this Scotch is very inviting; it has a rich warm caramel color. The nose has a very sweet walnut sent, almost reminding me of the smell when I bake Russian Tea Cakes.

Straight:

Nathan: First I notice a very slight antiseptic burn, which gathers steam as it rolls down my throat. It burns for a second and then warms me up rather nicely. Smaller sips cuts down on the bite, and is a whole lot smoother. The after effect leaves a very smooth and rich taste in my mouth. Maybe a tad bit of Port.

Jen: As it first touches my lips I can feel them start to tingle, the sweetness then fills the front of my mouth with a hint of walnuts. As it slowly rolls down the back of my throat the warmness of the spice consumes the previous sweetness picked up. The finish is lingering and silky, leaving a warm sweetness.

Diluted:

Nathan: Diluted, the burn is gone, and with it, the scents I picked up previously. On second sip, most of the taste as well. I feel like an ounce of Scotch was just wasted.

Jen: Diluted usually isn’t my favorite and I must say it does not favor this Scotch. It cuts way down on the nose, with the initial sip I pick up a hint of sweetness but any warmth or tingling are completely gone. Diluted it does go down very easy, but with no warmth or spice. And the finish is short and not lasting.

On the rocks:

Nathan: Iced, I lose the burn, still get aroma and taste. It’s very smooth this way, and I can detect more walnuts in the finish. Maybe a hint of rose.

Jen: Ahhh on the rocks…how I prefer to drink my Scotch. The first sip I get to keep the tingle when it hits my lips, but as I drink I get a nice chill as the sweetness consumes my mouth. Going down is smooth and the finish lingers with the warm nutty aroma.