Winters in Scotland are nothing to laugh at, there’s no doubt about that. One way to navigate the rougher weather months there is with a good bottle of Scotch and a roaring fire, which is precisely what Glenmorangie had in mind with the unveiling recently of its new limited edition A Midwinter Night’s Dram whisky. A fancy name and a story behind it, where have we seen that before? This Glenmorangie was first released in 2015 and is a mixture of bourbon and oloroso sherry matured whisky. The name refers to the tradition in which the Glenmorangie master distiller would give the sixteen men of Tain a special whisky over the festive season. Now, it’s not a bad one, as far as stories go – Glengoyne are doing something similar with their ongoing Teapot Dram realeases – but let’s see what the whisky is like. Finish: Mid-length, a reasonable amount of heat, with traces of red apples and a touch of marmalade.

Glenmorangie Midwinter Night’s Dram (43%, OB 2016) Glenmorangie Midwinter Night’s Dram (43%, OB 2016)

This year, Glenmorangie has made this unique whisky available to whisky connoisseurs in the UK to be enjoyed in the Winter season celebrations. Reflecting the infamous Scottish winter, a ‘Midwinter Night’s Dram’ unites whisky matured in the finest quality Bourbon casks made from American white oak, delivering Glenmorangie’s classic house-style which is smooth and soft with notes of citrus, vanilla and almonds. Complementing this elegant spirit is a fuller-bodied liquid, extra-matured in the very best Oloroso Sherry casks of the type most famously used in our award winning expression, Glenmorangie Lasanta. The marriage of these two parcels creates a single malt whisky which displays the balance between an underlying sweetness and a rich, spicy, nutty top-layer. This whisky is inspired by the long held tradition where The Sixteen Men of Tain were treated with a special whisky in the festive season created by the Master Distiller as a thank you for their role in the creation of Glenmorangie. This gift was shared by the Men of Tain with friends and family from St Andrew’s Day to Christmas to Burns Night. Finish: A soft, medium strength, creamy finish, with further notes of malt biscuit and plump raisins.

Glenmorangie Midwinter Nights Dram has been matured in select Bourbon casks made from American white oak, delivering Glenmorangie’s classic house-style which is smooth and soft with notes of citrus, vanilla and almonds. Glenmorangie Midwinter Nights Dram Tasting Notes :- The Glenmorangie distillery, and its 8 metre high stills were established on the shores of the Fornoch Firth in 1843, and is known for never using casks more than twice (although I’ve never managed to find out if that means twice as whisky casks, which is probable, or twice in totality). Dr Bill Lumsden is the current head of Glenmorangie’s whisky; a biochemist with a PhD in Microbial Physiology and Fementation Science who developed a fascination for all things whisky whilst a student when he first tried the Glenmorangie Ten. It is arguably Dr Lumsden’s scientific approach to both the whisky, and the wood in which it is aged, that has made Glenmorangie the brand that it is today; a leader in wood selection and in finishing whiskies in secondary cask types. Comments: A nice ‘smooth’ (for want of a better word) whisky that doesn’t really offer anything over the standard 10 year-old. The nose is very pleasant, but it loses points in both the palate and finish. A bit generic, and the sherry influence isn’t entirely integrated. Mouthfeel: On the heavier side of mid-weight. Silky smooth, and slightly oily, with not a hint of alcohol

Review: Glenmorangie ‘A Midwinter Night’s Dram’ | SWB

This is a Rich and Fruity Whisky. See what other drams we have that may take your fancy try our whisky by taste selection. Aroma: Notes of orange marmalade, toffee, walnuts and mulled wine; tones of wine-soaked fruit, Christmas cake and a distinct whiff of musk or incense.

Nose: Light and pleasant, on orange peel, toffee, caramel and cinnamon. You can sense the influence of some sherry casks, but there is youthfulness there too. Created by the Master Distiller as a thank you for a job exceptionally well done. Celebrating the tradition of The Sixteen Men of Tain who received a special whisky in the festive season. For friends to share through the darker months. Palate: Much the same as the nose, but with some added almonds and citrus peel – and perhaps just a slight touch of cinnamon and vanilla.

Glenmorangie Midwinter Nights Dram 43% 70cl - RMW

While elegantly balancing an underlying sweetness and a rich, spicy, nutty top-layer. In conclusion it’s a dram to drink by a roaring fire when it’s cold outside. Palate: Decent body. Nutty and spicy, but unfortunately a bit of cardboard too. Cinnamon again, cloves, spiced orange liqueur. Bottled at 43%, the Midwinter Night’s Dram was a limited release by Glenmorangie in 2015. It is a no-age statement whisky that was aged in ex-Bourbon casks before being finished in ex-Oloroso Sherry Spanish oak casks. It won gold at the 2016 IWSC awards. Unfortunately for those of us not in the British Isles, A Midwinter Night’s Dram was a UK-only exclusive. This discontinued Glenmorangie Midwinter Nights Dram Limited Edition whisky is inspired by the great Scottish winters.