Review: Glenmorangie The Nectar 16 Years Old
Glenmorangie already tweaked the Extra Matured Range portion of its portfolio five years ago with age statements becoming a little more prominent for The Lasanta and The Quinta Ruban (the latter jumping from 12 to 14 years old). The exotically named, Sauternes-finished Nectar D’Or, however, suspiciously went from being a 12-year-old single malt to a non-age-stated offering. When I interviewed Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, back in 2022 he confirmed that Nectar D’Or was still a 12-year-old single malt despite the change, but he also hinted that it was going to get a more senior age statement in due course that would fit neatly into the core lineup of 12- to 18-year-old expressions.
The age isn’t the only thing that has changed. Now simply dubbed The Nectar, this 16-year-old single malt, the second oldest in the core portfolio, also boasts an entirely new finishing regimen. It spends 14 years aging in ex-bourbon before an additional two years of finishing time in a mix of dessert wine casks: Sauternes and Monbazillac from France, Moscatel from Spain, and Tokaji from Hungary. Let’s check it out.
The aroma is bursting with notes of French pastry shop, which was reportedly Dr. Bill’s original inspiration for the expression. Almond croissant, brown butter, caramelized sugar, and laminated dough pour out of the glass. As it opens, undertones of orchard fruit and Bit-O-Honey emerge. It’s fresh and sweet but still buttery enough to keep from skewing too saccharine. The palate is lush and syrupy with notes of pear tart, merengue, and raw honey. It’s mouthwatering, especially on the midpalate which offers up a welcome acidity and higher tone fruit notes in the form of white peach and tangerine. The finish is silky and warming, eroding into long lasting notes of amaretti cookies, green apple, and buttercream icing. Truly, dessert in a glass. Nectar D’Or never quite seemed to live up to its elevated position in the Glenmorangie Extra Matured lineup. But this new single malt is exactly where it should be.
92 proof.
A / $100 / glenmorangie.com
Glenmorangie The Nectar 16 Years Old
$100
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