Glenmorangie's Private Edition series reaches double digits with Allta, a single malt Scotch whisky that puts yeast in the spotlight. Yeast has always been one of the crucial components of whisky, but in recent years it has taken a backseat, with other elements taking starring roles. This time, Dr. Bill Lumsden and his team have put yeast front-and-center.
Glenmorangie Allta (pronounced 'al-ta') was inspired in part by a conversation Dr. Lumsden had with the legendary late whisky and beer writer Michael Jackson about a 'house' yeast once held at Glenmorangie. While walking through some barley fields near the distillery, Dr. Lumsden picked up some Cadboll barley, brought it back to the lab and discovered a species of wild yeast - Saccharomyces diaemath - growing on it. Some yeasts aren't suitable for distilling, but this particular species was ideal for creating whisky. The yeast was cultivated, and when the barley on which it had grown was ready to use, Dr. Lumsden brought it all together for distillation, with the resulting spirit being aged in ex-bourbon barrels. What impact could wild yeast have on whisky? Allta intends to find out!
Rounded, with biscuity, yeasty tones. Gentle floral notes of carnations and Parma violets, baking bread, very gentle vanilla, soft raisins and sweet mandarin orange.
A crisp citrus bite to the mouthfeel. Butter candy, creamy vanilla, orange syrup with slightly yeasty background. Gentle mint, the tiniest hint of sweet chilli and delicate, dancing, floral notes.
Long and earthy with hints of bittersweet orange and peppermint.
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Amazing
Was given this beauty by a good friend whose Single Malt experiences were wide and deep(vintages). I was immediately floored and not because I drank the whole bottle! The richness and varied notes were beautifully impactive. I’m not a Scotch novice - this was a great surprise. Thinking of notes - citrus for sure, butter scotch, mandarin orange, many others that register warmly and tastefully on the tongue and back of throat. Having a dram right now, cheers!
Absolutely amazing dram
Gross. Smells sour, tastes sour. Having said that, I'm going to finish the bottle...I'm not a quitter. I'm a long time scotch drinker, this is bad.
Well I’m on my 3rd bottle of this now. I keep buying one at a time and saying that this is for special occasions only every night is a special occasion, I come to the conclusion that it’s the whisky it’s self that makes a night dram a special occasion. I was intrigued because I always share my whisky with my dad and I asked him does this bottle taste different to the last 2 because I was unsure if it was me just picking up new notes getting to know this whisky better every time but it’s not, in fact my old man agrees but the new notes aren’t bad in fact there fantastic and it’s like opening a Christmas present unwrapping it to find out what new goodies is in there and so you see it’s a very special occasion every time, every night when you’ve got a bottle of Glenmorangie Allta. On the last bottle my new notes was banana bread and that granular sugar crust that coats the top of lemon drizzle cakes, sweet and zingy lemony deliciousness ummm....
