Glenmorangie Glenmorangie The Nectar NV 750ml

This 12-year-old single malt was finished in casks that previously held Sauternes, the golden sweet wine of Bordeaux. Smooth and elegant, look for a honey hue and notes of vanilla and lemon cream on the palate, finishing with baking spice and a puff of smoke. Adding water unleashes more creamy vanilla and citrus.

Finished (extra-matured, as they are now saying) in Sauternes casks. This expression replaces the Madeira wood finish. Beautiful sweet notes of honeycomb, sultana, apple pie, and white chocolate balanced by peach, coconut, and pineapple. Gentle background spice. The Sauternes cask adds extra weight and viscosity. The sweetness is not cloying, nor does it dominate the flavor profile. A good demonstration of the benefits of wood finishing.

After an initial maturation in bourbon barrels, this whisky went to finishing school in Sauternes barriques. The outcome is a polished malt with hard candy, honey, and spice, as well some citrus. It started out well at the light end of the spectrum. The Glenmorangie gave the Fonseca lots of body and became more honeyed with a sweet, dried orange peel. One step fuller with the Don Carlos, it had a stellar pairing, giving the cigar leather and earthiness, even as its own sugars balanced out. The two seemed to talk back and forth in this equally matched pairing. The Glenmorangie almost duplicated that performance with the Padron, as it brought on cream, toast, and banana notes, and was repaid in a fuller finish with orange and other citrus notes. The results with the Cohiba were more conflicted, although some leather was added to the cigar. Preferred Pairings: Fonseca and Don Carlos

This thoroughbred was on last year’s roster and I’ve returned it to the top three because frankly if I couldn’t have HP 18 and Springbank 18, I’d be perfectly content to sip the night away with this lushly textured, dried fruit, winey blockbuster. Dr. Bill Lumsden, the Glenmorangie genie, has seduced his global audience many times but never has he some so with such stunning elegance and elemental élan. Nectar d’Or rocks, baby. This is Northern Highlands whisky splendor at its silky finest.

Non-Chill Filtered Northern Highlands Single Malt Whisky (Scotland). This thoroughbred was on last year’s roster and I’ve returned it to the Top Three because if I couldn’t have HP 18, I’d be perfectly content to sip the night away with this lushly textured, dried fruit, winey blockbuster. Dr. Bill Lumsden, the Glenmorangie genie, has seduced his global audience many times but never has he done so with such stunning elegance and elemental elan. Nectar D”Or rocks, baby. This is Northern Highlands whisky splendor at its finest. The pinnacle Glenmorangie.

Possibly the most high-profile wine-infused whisky - the Sauternes finish adds a dessert wine lusciousness. Could be used as a substitute for Sauternes with blue cheese, or if you eat it fois gras.