• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Baking
  • About Tammy

Scotch & Scones

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Whisky
  • Subscribe
  • About Tammy
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Whisky
    • Subscribe
    • About Tammy
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Single Malt Scotch

    Published Apr 18, 2018 · Updated Dec 11, 2022 · by Tammy Spencer · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Glenmorangie and Ardbeg scotch whisky review

    Jump to Reviews

    I may not have a favorite scotch, but I know that if Glenmorangie and Ardbeg are in the lineup, I'm going to like it just fine.

    Glenmorangie and Ardbeg lineup in boxes on a counter.this …
    The Glenmorangie expressions...the Scottish Highlands are well represented here

    I don’t have a favorite child. Both my girls are my favorite.

    My daughters are unique and wonderful, and that’s not just because I’m their mom. Just ask anyone and they’ll tell you the same.

    I love them fiercely and equally, and I’m quite the Mama Bear when required (don’t mess with a red-headed mama is my only warning to you).

    In fact, it’s their uniqueness that allows me to distinguish between what I love about them. By not playing favorites I can appreciate their individual traits and talents and cherish both my girls to the fullest extent a heart will allow.

    That’s infinity-plus if you’re counting.

    Jump To: hide
    Familiarity breeds confidence
    Glenmorangie and Ardbeg tasting
    Glenmorangie Original
    Glenmorangie Spios
    Glenmorangie Extremely Rare Aged 18
    Ardbeg Ten
    Ardbeg An Oa
    Ardbeg Uigeadail
    Ardbeg Grooves
    Final thoughts
    Related Tasting Notes

    Familiarity breeds confidence

    It’s not too hard to extend the thought of valuing the individuality to other things I like. Take scotch, for instance.

    (Wow, we didn’t see that transition coming at all [rolling eyes] ).

    I’m lucky enough to have tried many different brands and expressions since I’ve started paying attention to whisky. While I’m quite willing to try unfamiliar drams (how else do you get familiar with them, after all?), I do know that when a known quantity comes along I’m willing to set aside impartiality and just savor the sip. 

    Such is the case with Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. I just know that I’ll like what I’m going to try. It’s just a matter of degrees as to how much.

    Glenmorangie is a Highland scotch (as in sweet, heathery, and pine). Ardbeg is an Islay scotch (think beachy), so the qualities of both those regions are well represented by their lineups.

    At a recent tasting at Gordons DTX, I was not only treated to the standards, I was able to sample some new releases as well. Boy, were they good!

    Time to sip!

    Glenmorangie and Ardbeg lineup in bottles on a counter.
    Our lineup for the evening (photo credit: Gordons DTX)

    Glenmorangie and Ardbeg tasting

    At Gordon's DTX, March 28, 2018

    Glenmorangie Original

    43%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: honey, peaches, brown sugar, vanilla
    • Taste: pepper, cinnamon and honey, oranges
    • Finish: slides into cloves and long caramel
    • Comments: the spice is balanced by the sweet, a solid Highland sip

    Glenmorangie Spios

    46%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: caramel candy, fresh bread, citrus, slightly toasted pecans
    • Taste: soft entry, oily, navel oranges, cayenne and cloves
    • Finish: baking spices linger at the back of the throat
    • Comments: rye finishing really gives a unique flavor profile, it’s sublime and very interesting!

    Glenmorangie Extremely Rare Aged 18

    43%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: peaches, grilled pineapple, soft vanilla
    • Taste: light body, cinnamon and white pepper rises quickly, menthol and white chocolate, oak overtones
    • Finish: fades to mint and oak
    • Comments: for an 18yr it’s not as soft as I’d thought, but it’s nice
    Glenmorangie Original, Spios, and Extremely Rare in bottles on a counter.
    The Glenmorangie expressions...the Scottish Highlands are well represented here

    Ardbeg Ten

    46%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: minty smoke, light beach smoke, seaweed
    • Taste: medium body, oily, bonfire flavors are thick and heavy, almost lemony
    • Finish: the medicinal iodine lasts long and fades slowly
    • Comments: a good smoky dram, and a good entry to the line

    Ardbeg An Oa

    46.6%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: beachy, slightly sulphurous, driftwood
    • Taste: thick body, oily, ashy
    • Finish: ends on eucalyptus
    • Comments: such an easy sip to savor

    Ardbeg Uigeadail

    54.2%ABV
    Pronounced "Oog-a-dal"
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: standing over the bonfire, inhaling the smoke
    • Taste: big smoke, thick and rich, citrus and smoke, chewy
    • Finish: thick smoke and lemon rests on the tongue
    • Comments: big bold peat predominates, wonderful!

    Ardbeg Grooves

    46%ABV
    Type: Scottish

    Tasting Notes

    • Nose: light nose, faint smoke
    • Taste: thick, oily, the smoke climbs up and takes hold, lemon curd tartness underneath
    • Finish: lemon curd and campfire, fades to ash
    • Comments: like a campfire in the distance, then you approach...climbs and holds on, no-nose all-flavor, not an official part of the tasting (hence no picture), but I was lucky enough to get a sample before heading home
    Ardbeg 10, Uigeadail, & An Oa lineup in bottles on a counter.
    Thse Ardbeg expressions certainly didn't disappoint

    Final thoughts

    I don’t have a favorite whisky brand, but I do gravitate to the ones I know and love line Glenmorangie and Ardbeg. Familiarity is comfort, like wearing your sheepskin slippers after a day of trying on shoes.

    Familiarity also allows me to savor the individual qualities of a lineup from a tried and true brand without hesitation or bias.

    I don’t think I’ll ever be able to point to one distiller, one scotch, one expression and say that’s my favorite because they’re all unique. And that’s a notion I can cherish.

    Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!

    Tammy

    Related Tasting Notes

    Scotland's whisky regions have such a rich and diverse array of flavor profiles and distinct characteristics from which to choose. Here's where you can find a scotch I've reviewed based on its region. Slainté!

    • Campbeltown Scotch
    • Highland Scotch
    • Islands Scotch
    • Islay Scotch
    • Speyside Scotch

    More Single Malt Scotch Tasting Notes

    • Bruichladdich's unpeated & peated lineup
    • Glenmorangie Allta & Ardbeg Drum review
    • AnCnoc Highland Single Malt review
    • Roundup Review of Scotch, Bourbon, & Rye Whiskey

    Primary Sidebar

    Profile picture - Tammy, July 2019 square

    Hi, I'm Tammy! My fascination with baking comes from my love of science and the magic of bringing together ingredients to produce something yummy. Coupling that with my appreciation of scotches and bourbons, I love to bake stuff, jot down my whisky tasting notes, and share my experiences with you!

    More about Tammy →

    Celebrate Someone Special

    • Sweetheart Valentine Frosted Fudge Brownies
    • Mini Chocolate Mousse Brownie Cake
    • Mini Skillet Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
    • Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse (No Coconut Oil)
    • Foolproof Slow Cooker Crème Brûlée (Vanilla Custard)
    • Silky Smooth Strawberry Mint Sorbet (Dairy-Free)
    • White Chocolate Marshmallow Pecan Fudge
    • Easy Chocolate Truffles (Only 4 Ingredients)

    What's Popular with Readers

    Here's what my readers are viewing...

    • Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake (Eggless & Dairy-Free)
    • How to Make Scottish Bannocks from Outlander
    • Sourdough Discard English Muffins
    • Sourdough Herb Ciabatta Rolls
    • Traditional Scottish Shortbread Cookies
    • The Best Homemade Sourdough Bagels
    • Italian Meringue Macarons step by step
    • Dairy-Free Chocolate Mousse (No Coconut Oil)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Disclosures

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Ingredient Measurement Unit Policy

    Subscribe

    Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Let's Talk
    • About Tammy
    • Shop Scotch & Scones

    Copyright © 2023 Scotch & Scones