Glenmorangie Glenmorangie The Infinita 18 Years Old NV 750ml

Despite the rich, buttery scent this single malt sips relatively dry. Rounded pear and sherry notes lead the palate at first, drying to leather and cigar wrapper and finishing long, with lemon zest and ginger zing. Water brings out more fruit, a tinge of violet, sprinkles of brown sugar and cinnamon sweetness, and a smoky whiff on the finish. Amazing complexity.

This marriage of bourbon and oloroso sherry casks on Glenmorangie’s revamped 18 year old has created a delightful nose of heather honey, toasted oak, citrus peel, candied ginger, mandarin orange flan, lemon zest, icing sugar, and floral notes. Polished and elegant on the taste buds, with honeyed fruits, peach, mandarin, pepper, clove, and orange cake, with little licks of smoke, sultana, oak, and Olde English marmalade on the lengthy finish.

When compared to the 10 year old, this one’s richer, with darker fruit and more caramelized sweet notes, paired with accentuated dried wood spice, while the 10 year old is more vibrant and floral. Like the 10 year old, there’s good balance here.