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23rd August 2017 |
After almost
10 years since the original release the
Glenmorangie Astar returns with a 2017
Edition.
 The Glenmorangie
fans amongst you will recall the
Glenmorangie Astar which was first
released back in 2008, well it is back,
Glenmorangie have announced the release
of a Glenmorangie Astar 2017 limited
edition.
Just like the first release of Astar,
Scots Gaelic for "journey", this latest
release has been matured in bespoke oak
casks from the Ozark mountains of
Missouri, designed to impart the wood’s
maximum flavour to the spirit.
The Astar’s custom-made casks began
their journey in the Ozark mountains of
Missouri, where Glenmorangie carefully
selected slow-growth oak trees, for
their porous structure. Staves were cut
from these oaks to the Distillery’s
exact specifications. Then, they were
left to season in the open air for at
least two years, to breathe and soften.
After being coopered into oak casks,
they were gently toasted to contribute
further flavours of almond and coconut.
Filled with bourbon, they were set aside
to mature for four years to smooth away
any rawness. Finally, they were emptied,
shipped to Scotland and filled with
Glenmorangie’s delicate and complex
spirit, for a long, slow maturation.
The original expression of Glenmorangie
Astar launched in 2008 disappeared from
the shelves of the whisky shops
in 2012, I don't think Glenmorangie
foreseen its popularity and given the
time it takes to produce the casks to
mature the Glenmorangie Astar it has
taken Glenmorangie's whisky maker Dr Bill
Lumsden 10 years to produce this new
release of the whisky.
Glenmorangie say that the new
limited-edition Astar displays all the
smooth, creamy depths for which its
predecessor was renowned. Bottled at a
slightly lower strength of 52.5% ABV
than the original release which was
bottled at 57.1% ABV, it is non
chill-filtered.
Glenmorangie
Astar has an RRP of £74, which is
considerably less than the £199 the
original release currently sells for in
specialist whisky shops such as
The Whisky Exchange will be
available in the UK from September from
specialist online whisky shops such as
Master of Malt
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Glenmorangie Astar 2017 Review
|
William
Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Nose: A deliciously enticing,
rich, sweet nose, with honey, vanilla
and a fruit cocktail of candied pear,
lemon and pineapple.
Taste: Mouth coating
sugary sweet fruit leads the way this is
soon joined by some creamy vanilla fudge
and a lovely oak spiciness.
Finish: Deliciously long. The
fruit and sugars slowly fades leaving
lingering honey and oak spices.
Comment: Top marks from nose to
finish, I have to say I am a big fan of
the Glenmorangie distillery, they
certainly have an advantage in my
opinion in that the quality of the
spirit which comes out of their stills
is top class and when matured in quality
casks it is one of the best quality
whiskies you will taste no matter what
its age and this is a cracker. I got
through a few bottles of the Astar back
in 2008 when it was first released and I
rated it very highly. I have to say the
Astar 2017 is even better, the spice
which was in the original Astar is more
refined and not so in your face
immediately but it is still there and
balances very well with the
delicious candied fruitiness and sweet
vanilla and honey.
Welcome back Astar, I hope Dr Bill has
more maturing in the warehouse to follow
up this release as I am sure this will
sell quickly once tasted and of course
considering the 2008 bottling sells for
£200 I am sure the collectors/investors
will fancy a punt on this one at £74 a
bottle.
SMW Score 95/100
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