tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post5872325877090682893..comments2024-03-16T11:28:41.525-04:00Comments on Diving for Pearls: Single Malt Report: Glenmorangie AstarMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02288790197865570681noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-29287270313657631952014-02-23T21:59:21.176-05:002014-02-23T21:59:21.176-05:00Thanks for your comment. I've been waiting to ...Thanks for your comment. I've been waiting to see if anyone else had any thoughts on this.<br /><br />There are an increasing number of distilleries that are releasing new oak single malts. But none of them are quite like the Astar. Benromach has an Organic release (not the "Special edition" version") that I like, but it's very sweet. On the opposite side of the spectrum, there's Bruichladdich's Organic which is barley-forward and quite good. But neither of these is like Astar, nor are they bottled at Cask-ish strength.<br /><br />Apparently, much of what was Astar is now going into Glenmorangie's Original 10yo. Bill Lumsden likes tinkering with oak, and he likely knows he had something good with the Astar. But demand for Glenmorangie is pretty high, so he's putting that stuff into the Original. Original is still a solid malt, but it's watered down in comparison to Astar.<br /><br />If I ever find a respectable replacement for it, I'll post a review. Thanks again.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-38532457932463299792014-02-19T20:20:20.830-05:002014-02-19T20:20:20.830-05:00I just came upon this page after searching Google ...I just came upon this page after searching Google for a reason why my star has really lost its sweetness since being opened. It's unfortunate because a fresh bottle of astar was a really great thing. Any suggestions for something comparable?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-82782024938215624852014-01-10T16:22:04.211-05:002014-01-10T16:22:04.211-05:00Worse comes to worst, you can always do some high ...Worse comes to worst, you can always do some high strength blending. And I think you may be onto something regarding the base spirit.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-75839464669016523822014-01-07T14:47:35.969-05:002014-01-07T14:47:35.969-05:00It might be the base spirit. GlenMo tends to be m...It might be the base spirit. GlenMo tends to be more delicate since their stills are so tall. I'll definitely need to finish my bottle soon.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-47916873171782628582014-01-03T17:49:07.453-05:002014-01-03T17:49:07.453-05:00That's unfortunate. Lasanta and Quinta Ruban g...That's unfortunate. Lasanta and Quinta Ruban get sourer and bitterer with time in my experience. Could it be something with GlenMo itself?Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-60431538487666132662014-01-02T21:05:52.095-05:002014-01-02T21:05:52.095-05:00Word of warning Michael. I'm over halfway don...Word of warning Michael. I'm over halfway done with my bottle of Astar and the taste has, well, lost some of the sweetness (sour and bitter seem to be taking over). I'm going to focus on finishing this bottle because I have a feeling oxygen has gotten to the whisky. I normally don't notice this in cask strength whisky and an open bottle of Macallan Cask Strength has improved over time for me. But it doesn't seem to be working on Astar.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-73379474912342729052013-11-19T00:43:43.476-05:002013-11-19T00:43:43.476-05:00Yeah, you're right. I'd bet it's Jack ...Yeah, you're right. I'd bet it's Jack Daniels. Thank goodness not a hint of that stuff has made it into the Astars I've tried.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-11716517991003428402013-11-17T19:19:05.607-05:002013-11-17T19:19:05.607-05:00I'd completely forgotten Diageo owns a piece o...I'd completely forgotten Diageo owns a piece of LVMH. I brought up Jack Daniel's because Brown Forman has the ideal cooperage to make the Astar designer casks for Glenmorangie but neither LVMH or Brown Forman have ever confirmed this.<br /><br />Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-46773923482421994462013-11-15T21:59:05.391-05:002013-11-15T21:59:05.391-05:00Yep, John Hansell mentioned Astar's upcoming d...Yep, John Hansell mentioned Astar's upcoming demise a couple times on twitter and may have referenced somewhere on his blog. I wouldn't mind getting a bottle before it's gone. California seems to have the highest prices on it, which stinks. Glenmorangie's single malt saw more volume depletion than any of the other major players last year, so I wouldn't doubt they're concerned about stock. Like you, I hope they someday release something at full strength.<br /><br />Thanks for the info about the Tennessee whiskey barrels. Since Diageo owns 1/3 of LVMH's drinks division there might be a slight chance Dickel gets used, but I'd bet on Jack Daniels too.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-68844288573022120562013-11-14T20:44:24.583-05:002013-11-14T20:44:24.583-05:00Glenmorangie hasn't really made any announceme...Glenmorangie hasn't really made any announcements but the grapevine says Astar has been discontinued. Good thing I've got two unopened bottles to enjoy in the future.<br /><br />By the way, I finally checked my Astar box and found the little booklet that comes with the whisky. The booklet confirms that the designer casks are filled with Tennessee whiskey for four years before they are shipped to Scotland (and I'll go with Jack Daniel's as the distillery since George Dickel is owned by Diageo which probably take the casks for their distilleries). Also the casks are toasted first and lightly charred second which is probably for locking in the wood flavors.<br /><br />If Astar is gone, I have to say I wish Glenmorangie would release a cask strength version of Original at the very least to take Astar's place.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-50544281251739867762013-08-11T13:50:30.701-04:002013-08-11T13:50:30.701-04:00Interesting they're rolling out cask use refer...Interesting they're rolling out cask use references in their ads. Lumsden likes playing with oak and apparently the marketing folks are going with that. Sometimes new oak can be crazy sticky sweet with single malts, so far Glenmorangie has avoided that. I wonder if Ardbeg is experimenting with it too...Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-33933831899031815962013-08-10T00:46:35.826-04:002013-08-10T00:46:35.826-04:00Recently, Glenmorangie advertisements have emphasi...Recently, Glenmorangie advertisements have emphasized the fact that the distillery only uses casks twice (a third or fourth refill might be going to the blenders or independents but the ads don't say). So I'm going to say Astar should be a blend of first and second fill whisky.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-71400012961319957422013-02-18T21:32:05.225-05:002013-02-18T21:32:05.225-05:00Yeah, I think you're right. I updated the refe...Yeah, I think you're right. I updated the reference to the Private Edition. Someone might want to tell their online team to update their site...Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-80280516785609856972013-02-18T03:37:33.684-05:002013-02-18T03:37:33.684-05:00Oh, I had the answer near me the whole time. Glen...Oh, I had the answer near me the whole time. Glenmorangie Finealta comes with a handy booklet that states it is the second in the Private Edition line. The first was the Sonnalta PX which is pictured in the booklet next to the Finealta. Artein would be the third Private Edition and Ealanta the fourth.<br /><br />Specifically the booklet states, "Finealta is the second whisky created for The Glenmorangie Private Edition, a collection of rare, limited release whiskies." Since Glenmo seems to be producing new batches of Astar (though they don't bothering identifying the batch with a number), I'd say it's a permanent member of the lineup.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-66314222298612107912013-02-13T18:19:15.845-05:002013-02-13T18:19:15.845-05:00You may be right about the Private Edition designa...You may be right about the Private Edition designation. Their website really isn't helpful as it's missing Astar (http://www.glenmorangie.com/our-whiskies) from its lineup. Its original release came from only 10 casks, so it was very limited at first. They've definitely burned through that batch since then. But I haven't seen any announcement about it otherwise.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-46045590269650779072013-02-07T02:53:07.113-05:002013-02-07T02:53:07.113-05:00According to Serge of Whiskyfun, Artisan Cask is t...According to Serge of Whiskyfun, Artisan Cask is the same whisky as Astar but at a lower proof (46%) so we're probably not missing much. For a distillery that pioneered cask finishing, they sure love maturing whisky in plain oak varieties.<br /><br />By the way, I don't think Astar is part of the Private Editions line. The Private Edition moniker is reserved for one-off limited edition releases that aren't repeated whereas Astar (and Signet) are supposedly permanent parts of the range.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-79224701946195300462013-01-30T02:41:00.672-05:002013-01-30T02:41:00.672-05:00Thanks for the update. This is really the first I...Thanks for the update. This is really the first I'd heard about the Truffle Oak bottling. It must be a youngin' with all that strength. Probably can't keep it in new oak too long.<br /><br />The Artisan Cask can still be found overseas for under 100GBP (for a 500mL). I THINK it's a new oak bottling too.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-55155188697848555202013-01-28T20:08:13.841-05:002013-01-28T20:08:13.841-05:00Ouch, I seem to have fallen for the marketing. Ac...Ouch, I seem to have fallen for the marketing. According to Malt Madness, Glenmorangie Truffle Oak is simply Glenmo aged in European oak, Quercus robur. Which means Truffle Oak is simply a variation on Astar and Post Oak. And there are no truffles involved in the flavor. I'm also not seeing any info on whether the cask was filled before with something or if it's new oak (like the latest Ealanta). But I'd love to try a Glenmo that's hit the 60% mark... Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-2728820974879431342013-01-24T20:25:34.072-05:002013-01-24T20:25:34.072-05:00Gah! Master of Malt with the tease!
A shop in the...Gah! Master of Malt with the tease!<br /><br />A shop in the UK is selling a full bottle for 500GBP. Apparently it comes in fun packaging and at 60.5%ABV.<br /><br />This wouldn't be a bad time for Lumsden and Co. to start selling those Post Oaks again. Imagine the prices they could charge...Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-80113570067097925002013-01-24T18:19:35.114-05:002013-01-24T18:19:35.114-05:00Possibly the oddest finish in Glenmorangie's h...Possibly the oddest finish in Glenmorangie's history has to be Truffle Oak. Yep, the finishing casks were made from oak which had truffles growing on them (specifically the roots). I'd love to taste a sample but Master of Malt is selling those at $96 each...Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-79132456583392203902013-01-23T00:35:43.543-05:002013-01-23T00:35:43.543-05:00Yup, losing the Astar to blending with the regular...Yup, losing the Astar to blending with the regular range is my worry.<br /><br />Just now, I looked up those Post Oak reviews. Too bad I didn't catch a case of the Whisky Crazies five years earlier because those bottlings are now either all gone or probably auctioning at goofy prices. Lumsden has to have had some dynamite failures in the lab. He could always sell them to Murray McDavid.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-61619524534084330992013-01-21T02:43:11.163-05:002013-01-21T02:43:11.163-05:00I doubt they will discontinue this since Astar is ...I doubt they will discontinue this since Astar is a component of the 10 and 18. But I do worry they might temporarily stop selling Astar if more is needed for blending into the 10 and 18.<br /><br />Going through the whiskyfun archives, I noticed Serge reviewed a Glenmorangie Post Oak bottling where they experimented with another American oak, quercus stellata. Kind of makes me wonder what other crazy experiments Lumsden is doing with oak varieties.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-67972172871183082122013-01-20T21:52:09.687-05:002013-01-20T21:52:09.687-05:00Yeah, I REALLY like this one too. I do hope they ...Yeah, I REALLY like this one too. I do hope they keep it on the market, though their new Ealanta release sounds like the pricier, yet weaker, older brother. Of course, I want to try that one too.Diving for Pearlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02373371259792882112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-74866733762287164032013-01-18T20:08:16.427-05:002013-01-18T20:08:16.427-05:00I decided to open my bottle of Astar even though I...I decided to open my bottle of Astar even though I already have too many open bottles (this is either a good or bad thing). It's surprisingly sweeter than I expected. The standard Glenmo 10 I found a bit drier and bittersweet. This may be my favorite Glenmo.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3101162324715983722.post-41501683841669555272013-01-18T20:01:14.290-05:002013-01-18T20:01:14.290-05:00This wood management is very reminiscent of Macall...This wood management is very reminiscent of Macallan which owns a sherry bodega that seasons their casks for two years before sending them to Scotland (I don't think Macallan owns a forest in Spain though).Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215982348779717643noreply@blogger.com