In 2020 Glenmorangie dropped a curious limited edition expression called the Cadboll Estate, the first single estate whisky created by Glenmo, made entirely onsite “from grain to glass.” A 15 year old expression, it was aged exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels — no funky wine cask work here.

Now Cadboll is back for a second round — denoted as “Batch No. 2” on the box and bottle — the 2021 expression offering an identical makeup: estate-grown barley, 15 years in first-fill bourbon barrels, same 43% abv. Will this become an annual affair from Glenmorangie? It remains to be seen.

Meanwhile let’s see how this version comes across.

All told, it’s a really lovely and engaging whisky from start to finish. The nose is quite fruity — more so than the 2020 bottling, if only modestly — with more of that banana immediately evident alongside notes of apricot and baked apple, all whipped up with cereal-forward notes of pie crust, topped with meringue. Things come across with similar tones on the tongue, lots of nougat and vanilla in the mix clearly telegraphing the bourbon barrel influence. Some toasty barrel char notes come into focus on the back end, but these are paired admirably by a vanilla custard note, a hint of tropical fruit, almost lychee-like at times, and the lightest edge of grassy herbaceousness. It’s less clearly floral than the 2020 bottling, with more fruit much more immediately evident, which I think is a good thing. While the 2020 rendition was perfectly acceptable, this bottling is tougher to put down, inviting ongoing returns to your glass for continued exploration of its bright, sunny charms.

86 proof.

A / $85 / glenmorangie.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM THE WHISKY EXCHANGE]

Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate 15 Years Old 2021

$85

9.5

Rating

9.5/10

BUY IT NOW