46% ABV / 92 proof; bottled in 2011; 100% malted barley; discontinued and long since sold out, yet some retailers currently offer the release at $300 and up.
Deep amber in color with attenuated beading and nice slow legs, which reveal this whiskys age at 15-20 years old. No surprises when it comes to the characteristics of vintage. I really like to see that sort of evidence in my glass. Not only is such a display of chemistry in motion reassuring to ones sense of proprietyits also pretty cool to witness.
The fruits surface first, rushing in like angels, gliding along the river of life, in a William Blake painting. Im happy to report the mouth feel is pleasantly viscous, without biting into the gums. Fruit notes are all over the place. Im getting red fruits, stone fruits, and berriesall at once. Braeburn apples, fresh raspberry, blueberry. Stewed peaches and plums. Now comes a hint of mint, along with creamy milk chocolate, and perhaps a little coffee brewing distantly in the kitchen. This nose is more complex than Finealta, but the farminess of the latter is dearly missed. A different presentation altogether, I know, I know. But still, I miss the faint breeze of a barn yard by the sea. Mouth: Honey comb; white chocolate; sultana. In timea few seconds, reallythe head rush! Now theres white pepper, cafe au lait, and turmeric. Oh, lets not forget to mention chocolate orange. Yes, theres plenty of chocolate in this whisky to go around. The finish is medium long, with yet more chocolate orange carrying straight through. Lemon zest gathers along the edges of ones tongue like Charlie Chaplin balancing precariously on a curb, with cane and coattails flying every which way. But alas, the little tramps whisky-induced balancing act must end. A final crescendo of oak esters ready ones
turns fruity, with stewed peaches and plumbs coming to the fore. As I chew this whisky, its wood presence comes through, rising up through my nosehead rush! Now theres white pepper, cafe au lait, and turmeric. Oh, lets not forget to mention chocolate orange. Yes, theres plenty of chocolate in this whisky to go around. The finish is medium long, with yet more chocolate orange carrying straight through. Lemon zest gathers along the edges of ones tongue like Charlie Chaplin balancing precariously on a curb, with cane and coattails flying every which way. But alas, the little tramps whisky-induced balancing act must end. A final crescendo of oak esters ready ones palate for another sip.
Glenmorangie Artein comes in a classy box, with gold lettering over gray and red colors. At this point, it’s too expensive to buy as a gift for anyone except a collector, or a fan of whisky from years gone by. I will go on record as saying that I like Artein more than Finealta, as my ratings indicate. However, I do really appreciate the peaty influence in Finealta, as well as that barnyardy bravado, and a pinch of peat between the cheek and gums–so unexpected, and yet so glorious in a Glenmorangie.rnrnPoking around the Internet, I can see on Wine Searcher that a few bottles of Artein are still available in North America. Would I personally fork out three hundred bucks to snag one? No, I wouldn’t…but, then again, I can remember when this whisky could be found on the shelves at a liquor store near me for a for a quarter of that price. It was certainly fun reviewing the bottle. This one is the perfect “go-to” whisky in late summer, and early fall.rnrnIn fact, just last night, I was sitting out on my front porch, cradling a glass in my hands. After the sun went down over the West Hills of Portland, a coppery sliver of moon rose up into the sky, thanks to an unhealthy amount of forest fire smoke lying over the city like an ancient Mosaic curse. Believe it or not, the color of that moon closely matched the tint of Artein in my whisky tumbler.rnrnThankfully, the sky didn’t rain down frogs, and the Willamette river didn’t turn to blood. I’m crossing my fingers that the air quality of Portland will return to its former glory, as soon as possible. Up goes my glass of Artein–held proudly, held high: “Long live humanity! Long live Planet Earth! To our collective health! Sláinte mhaith!”
