This Christmas, embrace the spirit of warmth and celebration with the rich and distinctive flavours of Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Scotch whiskies. Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or looking to add a touch of warmth to your festive gathering, these iconic whiskies bring a touch of sophistication to every occasion. Glenmorangie offers smooth, complex notes for those who enjoy a refined sip, while Ardbeg’s bold, peaty character is ideal for whisky lovers seeking something adventurous. Raise a glass this Christmas and toast the timeless charm of Glenmorangie and Ardbeg.
Glenmorangie The Original 12 Year Old (RSP €49), their signature single malt has been reimagined. Now at 12 years old, The Original is as smooth and as luscious as you knew it before but now even more delicious. It is where all their whisky-making adventures begin and remains at the heart of everything Glenmorangie do. Now letting it age for 12 years in bourbon casks absorbing all manner of delectable flavours.
Enjoy an orchard of fruit with the scent of mandarin and ripening peaches, softened by the seductive aroma of creamy vanilla, while the taste is a whisky that welcomes you with a rush of citrus and holds your attention with layers of luscious flavour, from orange to honey and creamy vanilla with bursts of peach.
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old (RSP €67.20) is Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill’s attempt to bottle the magic of sunset, with its endless horizon of reds, oranges and purples. The Lasanta begins with giraffe-high stills, which yield a deliciously delicate and fruity spirit. Next, they mature it in bourbon and sherry casks for 12 years, transforming it into a mouth-watering odyssey bursting with rich spiciness and sun-drenched sweetness.
Enjoy notes of smooth chocolate-covered raisins, honeycomb and caramel toffee emerge, with warm spices in the background. Add a touch of water to reveal more of the classic Glenmorangie character. The taste is full-bodied, voluptuous and soft on the palate, this whisky's sweet, sherry-flavoured sultana notes combine with citrus, walnut and butterscotch.
Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old (RSP €73.80) sees Dr Bill seek to create a whisky as unpredictable as his travels. The Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old is a whisky journey into the wild – a dark and delectable forest where the wind whistles with gusts of peppermint and dark swirls of chocolate can happen at any moment. In the giraffe-high stills, it begins soft and fruity, then gets darker and deeper as they let it age for 14 years in bourbon casks and port casks from Portugal. The finished whisky is a thicket of voluptuous flavour combinations.
Fruity, floral and aromatic on the nose, with a hint of mysterious incense, and a nice whiff of tangy orange. Some waxy notes, a hint of sandalwood, and the merest suggestion of dark chocolate. The taste is a voluptuous, velvety texture, followed by fruit candy, sweet mandarin orange, more subtle chocolate truffles, aromatic wood and a lingering sweetness. The deep, mint chocolate flavours hold everything together.
For those who prefer a more peaty whisky, Ardbeg Ten Years Old (RSP €68.20) is revered around the world as the peatiest, smokiest, most complex single malt of them all. Yet it does not flaunt the peat; rather it gives way to the natural sweetness of the malt to produce a whisky of perfect balance.
Broad and full of vigour, Ardbeg Ten Years Old has a delicate, light gold appearance. Its aroma is a burst of peat, infused with lemon and lime wrapped in dark chocolate, followed by notes of menthol and black pepper, while the taste offers a veritable explosion of flavours including lime juice, black pepper and cinnamon-spiced toffee, which precede smooth buttermilk, ripe bananas and currants.
All available from select independents nationwide.
Slán go fóill.