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Whisky Review: Glenmorangie Astar

We review Glenmorangie Astar, a collectible non-age statement Scotch whisky release aged in Missouri Ozark casks.

OVERALL RATING

8
$200.00
  • Kirk Sig is a whisky connoisseur known for his candid and investigative approach to whisky reviews.
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Tasting Notes

About:

750ml; 57.1% ABV / 114.2 proof; Missouri Ozark Oak Casks; NAS; price around $200.
Appearance:
Color is chardonnay; legs are fairly fast running with negligible beading.
Nose:
Yes, the profile borders on the Glenmorangie 10-Year-Old, but it’s so much more rich and full. A palpable depth of character is noticeable right off the bat. The toasted oak, not surprisingly, brings with it a flavor akin to toasted almonds. With some help from the malt, this mellows into a kind of creamy marzipan. There’s also vanilla bean, orange, pineapple, and a downward turn into something a bit more sour, which reminds me of apple cider vinegar. Meanwhile, the wood presence comes round full-circle with cinnamon and baking spices.
Palate:
Okay, wow. The vanilla bean comes on strong. It’s almost as creamy as vanilla ice cream, providing a decadently oily mouth-feel for such a relatively young spirit. Missouri oak does announce its presence, albeit politely, with cinnamon, allspice, and toffee. All of this blends harmoniously into a wood presence that “canes the tongue” like a saxophone reed–gently, and softly. Other flavors include coconut creme, clover honey, orange zest, yellow raisins, and a bit of tropical mango. Last but not least, a Scottish shortbread hangs back, just beyond the radar, providing a buttery texture. Missouri oak is in the finish . . . but it’s married to caramel, orange pekoe tea, and a shortbread note. That’s the single malt back-talking–quietly, meekly–like a masochistic groom with a henpecking wife. Length is medium long.
Finish:
Comments:
If this whisky were on the market for its original price, then I would stock up. As things currently stand, paying around two hundred dollars at auction for a rare old NAS does not entice.rnrnIn a way, Astar is the blueprint for using a really good NAS offering to entice whisky drinkers into accepting the fate of no age statements. However, let it be known that I am not a fan of this practice. It’s too bad stocks of ten and twelve year whiskies are dwindling in warehouses, and that NAS labels are slowly becoming more common than age statements.rnrnMeanwhile, I will treasure each sip of Glenmorangie Astar…as the whisky level in my bottle moves towards the halfway point, and then slowly fades into the sunset.rnrnThank you, Dr. Bill, for bringing us such a treasure–even though it was, in all likelihood, designed to lull buyers into complacency with the idea of NAS whiskies, in general. These days, perhaps it’s no surprise that Astar makes the vast majority of NAS whiskies seem inferior by comparison. Why? Well, because they are.rnrnSpeaking of which, I miss my bottle of Glenmorangie Ealanta, which also used oak casks from Missouri. I should have bought a case of that delicious single malt before it sold out faster than a pussycat can lick its paw.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Whisky Kirk

Kirk Sig's fascination with Scottish whisky ignited in 1987 during a visit to Edinburgh. In the ensuing three and a half decades, he has cultivated an extensive understanding of distilleries, the whisky industry, and the global whisky landscape.

Kirk prides himself on providing candid and unvarnished reviews, eschewing the prevalent flattery and fluff that often permeate whisky commentary. This direct approach has occasionally ruffled feathers in influential circles, which he views as a testament to his commitment to prioritize the interests of the consumer.

Embracing the spirit of investigative journalism, Kirk's reviews delve deeper, leaving no stone—or cask—unturned. He believes in transparency and ensures that readers are privy to any noteworthy findings, fostering an informed and empowered whisky community.

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