This Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1990 was the first of a new series of vintage malts called Bond House No. 1 – the largest bonded warehouse built at the distillery during the 19th century. This particular year was troublesome as the barley harvest delivered bad results.
The 1990 Grand Vintage is a 26 years old mix of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
Glenmorangie Vintage 1990 (43%, OB ‘Bond House No 1’ 2016, 5000 btl.)
Glenmorangie Vintage 1990 (43%, OB ‘Bond House No 1’ 2016, 5000 btl.)Nose: very fresh and forthcoming, with a slightly tropical side. Juicy pears, pineapples, tangerines and orange syrup. Quite sherbety. Also hints of heather honey and floral notes. Honeysuckle. Great beeswax and polished oak. Pretty lovely.
Mouth: lots of juicy fruits again. Oranges, limes, a hint of pink grapefruits. Also vanilla and apricot jam. Malty biscuits. Then some mentholated notes, ginger and lightly herbal oak. Quite creamy, the oak is well controlled.
Finish: medium long, honeyed, with pears and just a hint of clove.
Very good, I love this kind of naked Glenmorangie that lets the malt speak and brings out the juicy fruits. Originally around € 500, now sold out in most places but there’s now a 1989 vintage.
Score: 90/100