The fourth release in the Private Editions line was the Glenmorangie Ealanta (2013) and in a lot of ways, it was responsible for skyrocketing Glenormangie’s ultra-premium reputation. Gaelic for “skilled and ingenious” this whisky was awarded whisky of the year by Jim Murray in 2013 which instantly made it impossible to find and put a massive feather in Glenmo’s cap.
Setting aside his waning pull, and continuing controversy surrounding him, 8 years ago Jim dominated the whisky world and its rankings and I vividly remember trying to get a bottle.
The day before the rankings came out a friend of mine told me about this “virgin American white oak” (new charred oak) aged Glenmo he thought was stellar. I saw it online at K&L but decided to pick it up in-store the following day instead of online right then. Big mistake.
I stopped by K&L after work, unaware of what had happened, and when I asked about it I got a “you and everyone else” look from their spirits buyer OG. This was my first lesson in whisky buying and timing. And now, 8+ years later, I’m finally sitting down to review it.
Let’s get to drinkin’ and relive a past that didn’t happen because of a man in a fedora.
Glenmorangie Ealanta – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Highlands, Scotland
Distiller: Glenmorangie
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak (staves air-dried for 2 years)
Age: 19 Years
ABV: 46%
Released: 2013 (4th)
Glenmorangie Ealanta Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller (originally $120)
Related Whiskey
Glenmorangie A Tale Of Winter
Glenmorangie A Tale Of Cake
Glenmorangie Sonnalta PX
Glenmorangie Finealta
Glenmorangie Artein
Glenmorangie Ealanta Tasting Notes
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Creamy vanilla, oak, spice, malt, citrus, caramel, light butterscotch and banana taffy.
Wow, the nose on this Glenmorangie Ealanta is wonderful. Robust and full of french pastry elegance.
PALATE
Same creamy vanilla starter but with a heavier caramel, malt and banana (banana caramel malted shake anyone?), fresh pastries, oak, cinnamon and some butterscotch and citrus.
The “oak” note is a bit more subdued here and it’s a bit sweeter than the nose on the whole, but retains its beautiful balance.
FINISH
Long -> Creamy vanilla, caramel, oak, spice and honied graham on a birthday cake fade.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Very well balanced, medium-full body and a slightly waxy feel.
Glenmorangie Ealanta – Overall Thoughts and Score
There has been so much hype about this whisky over the years and I wanted to squash that hype… but I can’t. It’s a really damn good whisky. One of the best in the world? Not really. But an excellent example of the creativity and skillful execution that can come out of Glenmorangie? Absolutely!
It’s like a warm glass of French-made birthday cake. There are these bold “American” notes running through it but they have an elegant delivery that’s almost austere. I know how that sounds, but the Glenmorangie Ealanta is quite a stunning whisky and it has a presence that feels downright classy.
SCORE: 4.5/5 (very good, highly recommended ~ A- | 90-93) – Thanks to Travis for the sample
Glenmorangie Ealanta Review $130
Overall
- Nose(4.5)
- Palate(5)
- Finish(4.5)
- BBF(5)
Glad you finally got to try this Josh. I bought two bottles when it came out. I thoroughly enjoyed the first one. It’s fabulous. But I agree with you, then and now; that it’s not one of the best ever. Not exactly overrated, just a bit hyped. Anyway, the second bottle is still unopened in storage. And I’ve kind of tired of Mr Murray. I certainly resent it when whiskies I’ve enjoyed for years at reasonable prices suddenly become impossible to find, or ridiculously expensive, often both, because Jim’s decided to give it an award – see Thomas Handy Rye, Redbreast, any decent Japanese malt etc etc.
I feel that pain all too well Martin. It wasn’t that long ago I was able to walk into K&L and buy Weller 12, from the bottom shelf, for $24. Now you can’t find it for under $200 these days and the whiskey itself isn’t as good as it used to do (we did a blind). The hype machine punishes the loyal by creating suckers with money to burn.
High school reunion hookup
Congratulations on finally kissing your high school crush nearly a decade later!
May not uave been exactly as you imagined but very enjoyable it seems.
Fun read Josh!
Hahaha, thank Javier. Cheers!