Scotch Aged in the Rarest Sherry Casks: Glenmorangie Palo Cortado 12 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Something a big house can do. They have a lot of whisky and certainly have enough to sell older! Glad it came out at 46% too. I don't think I've ever had a Palo Cortado cask Scotch. Almost always the key ... give it time, drink below the shoulder, just relax with it. I enjoy a bit of spice with a rich Scotch. I may pick it up. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@timloucks4325]

Wow, great price in Canada. I paid $80.99 US. That’s considerably more than the 14 Quinta ($55-$60) but worth a shot. Honestly, I’m never going to see the Springbank Palo Cortado at retail, so this is my consolation. I have been enjoying the Glen Scotia 12 (mermaid), so Palo Cortado is definitely on my radar now. I’ll try to look for that “ginger” note next time I sample it. Great review. Cheers.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Yeah Tim, It's a silly low price. The equivalent of $58USD. And yet it is still sitting on shelves. Roy often talks about the coming "Glass Loch." That Loch and less spending money in peoples pockets might lead to whisky prices dipping lower. I'm in the same boat for that Springbank Palo Cortado. The Glen Scotia 12 has been tempting me quite a bit recently at about $160 CAD. Glad you're enjoying these "consolation prizes." Cheers Tim 🥃

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Very nice Matt, I feel your rollercoaster journey with this whisky. We bought this bottle between 8 friends last year and finished it throughout the night but none of got really connected with it. I think with Glenmorangies we're used to getting the distillery character and then the cask influence is like a sprinkle on top. So you get the outside effect whilst keeping the distillery character. This one, alongside the Malaga perhaps, are the ones I got the least Glenmorangie like feel, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Interesting whisky for sure and a great price at that. Cheers!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Absolutely Sertug! It was one of the least Glenmorangie bottles I've ever had, which made it interesting but also a bit disjointed if you wanted that character. I didn't enjoy the Malaga Cask at all. Just wasn't my thing. Now I'm debating the Calvados Cask that just arrived in my market for $80CAD as well, or about 45GBP. Just keep paddle dramming man haha. That video was awesome. Cheers buddy 🥃

[@pepebruno1672]

Great and honest review Matt. I actually do rather enjoy this one. I do not pick up that overwhelming Ginger note that is so predominant for you. I only get a bit of it on the nose, and in a pleasant way. One interesting note on the nose for me is Nutella - nice. It is a good dram and definitely you have a SUPERIOR price!

[@ledani87]

nice review!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks ledani! Cheers 🥃

[@whiskywhereabouts]

Nice buy. I've only seen it at $80 USD, here in the States.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I can't believe it's still sitting on our shelves at the equivalent of $58USD right now. Inflationary pressures on peoples spending I'd guess, but who knows. Distilleries better hope India lifts tariffs or times could get tough in a few short years. Already murmurs about Diageo pausing production at a few Speyside distilleries. We shall see. Cheers buddy! 🥃

[@AB-kf8ry]

This is the sister release to their 12 Year Amontillado Cask Finish which is natural colour, and non-chill filtered. So it's probably natural colour and NCF as well.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for this info! I hope you're right! Alot of changes within their range lately and much of it for the better. Hope Natural colour and NCF are the new status quo for Glenmo. That Amontillado cask finish sound like it would have been a winner as well! Cheers 🥃

[@AB-kf8ry]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast yeah, even the Original and Lasanta have gotten a shake up in age. I wonder what that will do to price? I'm surprised that they still don't put this info on the bottle, but Ardbeg does.

[@petevj]

The 12 Palo Cortado is a nice one. I think their unique bottling are their best. If you want some fun then try the 16 peated.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

The 16 Peated I believe is a travel retail if I'm not mistaken. Would be a very interesting twist on the noble giraffe whisky. Though I've been eyeing one of Angus's Westport 17's from Whisky Sponge/Decadent Drinks. Cheers Pete! 🥃

[@petevj]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast it is indeed travel retail. The single casks and teaspooned malts are all over the map, from stellar to shelf turd. I always try and get a sample before I buy if I can.

[@andrewbutler7681]

I think the main problem people have with saying "Glenmorangie" is where the stress falls (and the new label design doesn't help!): if you think "glenmORANGE-y" (or even "glenMOR'ngee") you might fare better... Definitely not "glenmorANgie"! I've currently got 4 Palo Cortado finished whiskies, though I've not had the chance to try the Glenmorangie one yet: a 1997 Deanston 21-year-old, an 18-year-old Dunville's Irish, a 2005 Bladnoch 15-year-old and a Mosgaard Organic from Denmark. All very nice indeed!

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hi Andrew, well done for the Deanston, it's awesome (I have a sample somewhere I'll include when I'll do a Deanston overview, I'm late to do it I know, Cheers !

[@justwhisky]

Great honest review and assessment…. I enjoy this offering and if it was available at your price I would definitely snag a backup. Cheers 🥃

[@pepebruno1672]

Hi John, I was able to get it at around $80 in TW. Got 4 backups! You did a great review on this one as well!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Yeah John, at roughly $58USD it almost feels like a pricing error. Prefer this trend in pricing to the alternative. Cheers buddy 🥃

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hi Matt, I'm a Glenmorangie fan, historically, since 2002 & my first visit there, but not a big fan of current core range, once passed the 10 yo (decent) & the 18 yo (too reduced but sophisticated) & the 25 yo I never tasted, but for me some of their "Tale of..." are bit more interesting than core range finishes, plus, obviously for me too, in my experience, more than a half of their now stopped "Private Edition" limited releases range, showcasing a lot of different finishes or other elements changing from core range. Plus, on top of that, they are most often 46 % or more (51,2 % for the "'Allta" I have) & non chill filtered. These were, for me the range made for us whisky geeks, and I regret that it has ended (you're gonna struggle to find them & probably pay too much on secondary market, but I'll tell you more in DM about those I have, liked, etc...I've reviewed some of them only. I tried some other great releases from them (some old & or rare ones) including at the distillery only, but your notes for this expression, I have to say, are disappointing regarding what I'd like to hear from a Palo Cortado finish in my modest experience with it. My favorite Palo Cortado release remains a stunning Deanston 1997 limited official release a few years ago. I'm also enjoying the Caol Ila 11 yo Cadenhead with this finish & have reviewed it within my latest live show...Cheers & thanks for this review !

[@peatbull3426]

I tried a sample of this Cadenhead's Caol Ila and it was best Caol Ila i have so far. 😁🥂🥂🥂🙋‍♂️

[@pepebruno1672]

I actually think the Glenmorangie 12 Palo Cortado is superior to the Tale of Tokyo. What do you think of that head to head?

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

@@pepebruno1672 I haven't tried the 12 PC yet, so can only go by guessing, hearing Matt's notes....

[@peatbull3426]

@@pepebruno1672 no idea. Im Not Glenmo fan,its just not my piece of cake. Maybe is good but far to pricy. If i want good PC finish or maturation there is realy good Old Perth at 55.9% for aprox. £55. Glenmo is £75. Sorry but for that price i have Speyburn 18yo so 🤷‍♂️

[@Watchman999]

I’m more interested in the Dewar’s Double Double 27 Palo Cortado whisky at this point. And Springbank 10 Palo Cortado? No contest.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I never got to try that Dewar's Double Double 27 but what a deal it was at $68! Unreal. I don't even get too excited about Springbank releases now. I know my only hope is typically to try them in a KWM tasting which is good enough for me I guess. Would have loved to try the Local Barley 13. Hope you were able to attend some of the Springbank In Person tastings they hosted Greg. Cheers buddy 🥃

[@Watchman999]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast the price was a mistake. It got adjusted later up to $135 where it is currently.

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

Great video! In regards to the extra years on the label, I had a 14 Port and was not impressed. My theory is they have to go longer in the cask because they aren’t getting the impact they want in that time with inferior wood. The port I had was over cooked. Maybe the other bottles will suffer the same? I had been very curious about this bottle and almost bought it a few times, but held off. I’m with you about not being super enthusiastic about Glenmorangie. Cheers, Matt!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks Sheldon! I had a similar experience with the Quinta Ruban 12 vs the 14. Seemed to lose a step even though it gained 2 years. You're onto something with the wood/cask policy not being up to snuff. The Nectar D'or now including Sweet white wines as opposed to only Sauternes hints at this to. I only have two Glenmo's right now and I suppose the recent quality may be why. An update on my side: Even though this remains at $80 at some stores, I've yet to buy a 2nd bottle. I have too much whisky. I should have bought another bottle of that Dram Mor Inchfad haha! Alas I'm curious about this Glenmo Calvados that is now in the market at $80. I'm leery about that one though. waiting for scouting reports before plunking down more monopoly money for that one. Hope you're well buddy. Cheers 🥃

[@Hyster27]

Hi Matt, I'm coming out to Canada (from Scotland) soon and would like to take a bottle or two with me as a gift for a whisky loving friend, I'm wondering what would be difficult to get over in Toronto? Any suggestions on what is hard to get there?

[@Wielki000]

Springbank is very hard to get in Canada now, even the 10 yr old is hard to find. Or if he likes peated whisky the Longrow NAS is even hard to find as well. Kilkerran is pretty difficult now too

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Sorry for the slow response time Gary! Life's been crazy. Toronto is a very problematic place to buy whisky at the moment. The LCBO is their government Monopoly that is the only whisky retailer in the province(more or less) outside if the distilleries themselves. They just went through a long drawn out strike which has recently ended. This has meant supply issue's as well as access issues. You can check the LCBO website for locations and what their stock is. Alternatively, if you are visiting family or friends you could have them order from Alberta where prices and selection and much, much better and you have it shipped to them for you to pick up while visiting. There are even bottles of Daftmill marked down on sale out in Alberta. Some stores to check out would be Kensington Wine Market and Craft Cellars for starters. Distilleries like Shelter Point, Glen Breton or Macaloney's also ship across Canada. Hope this helps. Cheers Gary, enjoy your trip! 🥃

[@peatbull3426]

Glen Merenge 😉

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

G'Lemon Meringue Pie'sky. lol. Cheers buddy 🥃

[@Watchman999]

Glen-more-orange-y

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Glen-Mor-Hoo-Haa. Lol. I'm hopeless with this one.

[@patrickbennett439]

I call it Glen-more-range. Like a shooting range. lol.

[@ironmantran]

scotch bubble bursted . . . countries recommend to drink less . . . market saturation . . . peeps buy more than they drink . . . silly prices . . . wine-sk(e)y are hit + miss , not so hot . . . Scotch interest may levelled off / or plateau : sounds like a trend.