Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
92 Proof
Price Point: $45 – $55 for 750 ML
Distiller: Glenmorangie Distillery
Background
I bought my bottle of Glenmorangie Lasanta as one of six bottles I picked up for my wife for Christmas. I know, I know, that sounds a bit ridiculous. Who needs six brand new bottles of Scotch? Well, I used the holidays as an excuse to splurge on some bottles I wouldn’t have otherwise purchased. Lasanta is an expression I had yet to try, and I enjoy other sherried whiskies, so why not?
Review
Surprisingly, the nose on this isn’t typical of whisky. It’s much more identifiable as red wine. Although matured for ten years in ex-bourbon casks, Lasanta spends two whole years in Oloroso sherry casks, as compared to several months like the Balvenie.
I really enjoy the taste of Lasanta. Although I’m not a wine drinker in any way, it’s great to have a change of pace from the typical flavors of Scotch. The sherry is the star of the show here.
For a 92 proof whisky, there’s a little bit of a burn on the back-end of Lasanta. It really feels like the aftertaste of a red wine, which to me is really interesting.
Rating & Recommendations
Glenmorangie Lasanta is really interesting whisky, and by far the most sherried Scotch I have ever tasted, earning itself a rating of 87 out of 100.
Enjoy this stuff neat – you’ll want the full flavor of the sherry.
Sometimes you take a gamble on a whisky at the store, and it pays off. I think I made out pretty good with my choice of Glenmorangie Lasanta.
-Ryan
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Interesting! Out of curiosity, have you had The Macallan 12? Is the sherry more prominent than that?
Author
I have not had the Macallan 12 Year Old – only the Macallan Fine Oak 10 Year Old, which is not a sherried whisky. I would be interested to taste these side-by-side as I have heard that the standard Macallan bottlings are sherry heavy and very good.
-Ryan
Definitely try the Macallan 12 even though you weren’t a big fan of the Fine Oak 10. You can get a miniature Mac 12 in some PA stores – check it out online to see if any of the stores near you have one.
I saw the glenmorangie lasanta mentioned on psych, it was in a drink called Gabardine Hightail, is there a popular substitute for this drink or is it too unique? I haven’t tried it
Author
Hi Garrett.
I’m not familiar with all that many mixed drinks, but I can probably help you out. Are you concerned about the price of Lasanta, or are you just curious if there are different tasting substitutes available?
The ingredients for the Gabardine Hightail are Lasanta, Drambuie (a sweet, golden colored 80-proof liqueur made from malt whisky, honey, herbs, and spices), and Agave Nectar (a sweetener commercially produced in South Africa and Mexico that is sweeter than honey, though less viscous). Knowing this, you’re looking at a pretty sugary cocktail!
There are other sherried Scotches out there that might give you the same general effect – Balvenie DoubleWood, the Macallan, the Dalmore, etc. The entry-level expressions are all around the same price range, so you’re really looking more at expanding the flavor profile of the drink, not saving a few bucks.
If you want to experiment a little bit, try another whiskey that is partially aged in wine casks, such as Angel’s Envy bourbon.
Hope this helps. Thanks for the comment!
-Ryan
Good morning, Ryan.
Cajun chef Justin Wilson once responded to a question from a studio audience member on his Louisiana Cooking television show regarding what wine to pair with what meat. The man asked, “What’s the best wine to pair with catfish.” Justin replied, “What’s de bes’ wine ta drink wit’ dat fish? What kinda wine do you like?!” The same can be said about drinking scotch whisky. If someone asked my opinion regarding the best sherry-casked Highland single malt whisky, I’d reply “The best is what tastes best to you.”
I recently purchased a sampler pack of 100-mL bottles of Glenmorangie’s core expressions: The Original 10 Year Old, The Lasanta 12 Year Old, The Quinta Ruban 12 Year Old, and The Nectar D’Or 12 Year Old. I thought that this would be a great way to try the Glenmorangie whiskies without spending my hard-earned money on full-sized bottles of each. I tried The Original last night. I must say that I was not impressed with my first sampling; there was too much alcohol burn on the taste and finish for me to really enjoy it neat, although it did have that classic malted barley aftertaste when the alcohol finally burned away. I was about ready to strike a line through this selection on my “next-to try” list, but I gave the last half of the bottle a second chance over ice – what a difference! The Original moves to the number 2 spot (so far) on my Highland single malt ratings list, after the Dalmore 12 Year Old, which I prefer to drink straight. I sampled The Lasanta this evening (both neat and on the rocks after my experience with The Original) and I must say that it doesn’t compare to the Dalmore 12 Year Old, as far as sherry-casked Highland single malts go. There’s something in the aftertaste that doesn’t sit quite well with me; it may be the influence of the whisky sitting in an Oloroso sherry cask for two years. Isn’t sherry what little old blue-haired ladies drink?
Keep up the good work.
Chuck
Author
Hi Chuck.
I haven’t had much experience with the Glenmorangie Original, but I will tell you that fellow blogger has listed it as one of the worst single malts.
I’m surprised you rank the Dalmore higher than Lasanta. There’s certainly more of a sherry influence in Lasanta, which is probably why I like it better. But as you said, to each their own.
And yes, sherry is typically what little blue-haired ladies drink. 🙂
-Ryan
Good evening, Ryan.
If you like the sherry-influenced Lasanta and find yourself with a few extra dollars in your pocket, you might also like the Nectar D’Or expression. It is extra-aged in Sauternes wine barriques, according to the Glenmorangie web site. I make this recommendation because I opened the bottle of Nectar D’Or from the sampler pack tonight and I find that it has about the same flavor profile as Lasanta. A 750-mL bottle of Nectar D’Or sells for $63 in Maine and New Hampshire, as opposed to $55 (ME) & $50 (NH) for Lasanta, which is why the Nectar D’Or expression doesn’t appear on my “next-to-try” list.
With regard to your fellow blogger’s rating of the Original expression, both Whisky Magazine (Jim Murray) and Wine Entusiast rate it a 90 and Whisky Advocate gives it a 93. That’s why we have these civilized discussions.
Regards,
Chuck
Author
Nectar D’Or is certainly something I want to try, although the price has deterred me. Thanks for the recommendation.
-Ryan
I having been drinking scotch for several years but am new to following the proper tasting method. I noticed when tasting this whiskey that the immediate impact on my tongue was a strong spicy burn. Is that a correct assessment? Did I warm the scotch for too long in the glass or does my palate need some breaking in?
Thanks
Author
Hi Steve.
I’d say you are correct in your assessment as Lasanta is slightly higher in alcohol than your average Scotch. However, as your palate adapts to the many whiskies out there in the world, you’ll find that the burning sensation will fade away.
Cheers!
-Ryan
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