The Glenmorangie Tusail Private Edition Single Malt Scotch: A little while back we were invited to a private Glenmorangie tasting of the new Tùsail at Brown’s Hotel popup bar. This is the 6th release from Glenmorangie’s award-winning Private Edition. Tùsail is the product of a carefully-selected parcel of Maris Otter barley, floor-malted by hand using traditional techniques, and non chill-filtered. On the night listening to Dr. Bill Lumsden, Master Distiller, talk about the Private Edition, you could tell the amount of research he goes through to produce each and every expression from the Glenmorangie range. What was quite interesting to learn is the emphasis he puts on the Barley to create these signature expressions. On the night we sampled the previous Private Editions and even an original, Original Ten, which I may add is an absolutely stunning dram but the Tùsail stole the limelight for all the good reasons.
On the nose: there is a beautiful waft of oranges, red apples and toffee. This is then followed up by notes of marzipan, madeira cake, walnuts and the strangest but complimenting hint of Stilton. Some butterscotch notes will start to emerge followed by hints of zest, vanilla, cinnamon, lavender, fennel seeds and the lightest touch of oak. On the palate: its more poached pears than red apples but those toffee and Stilton notes are still apparent. Those oranges start to come through along with some peaches and spicy ginger. These notes will then be followed by almonds, vanillas, along with cinnamon and lemon zestiness. Quite surprisingly there is a complimentary, mossy-fungal note and a touch of oak. The finish: long, peppery with oak and a lingering fungal note.
The verdict: I remember thinking during the private tasting just how light and floral Glenmorangies tend to be. However this Tùsail from the Private Edition, is something rather special. A Scotch that has spades of character with some of the most unusual notes but these have been perfectly balanced to give you a dram that you’ll only want more of. Glenmorangie Tùsail Private Edition has an ABV of 46%. A whisky that in my opinion, didn’t really require any water and did slightly unsettle the dram when some was added. If you do need to add any water then only add a very, very small amount and if you don’t feel the urge to add any then allow the scotch to breathe for approx. 4 – 5 minutes to open up the nose a bit.
The Glenmorangie Tùsail Private Edition Single Malt Scotch is available online and in well-stocked whisky shops, for approximately £80.
For more information on the Tùsail Private Edition, visit the official Glenmorangie website.
