by Yannis Valavanis

One of the whiskeys I’ve somehow done wrong is Glenmorangie. Not because of the taste or because of the appearance but more because I prefer smoked ones and therefore I am more of an islander and less of a mountaineer. Seeing a lot of different bottles of it on the market lately, I decided to start exploring and trying them. From what I have read, it has the highest stills in its distillery, which is also one of the oldest in the Highlands, dating back to 1840. According to the figures the largest consumption is within Scotland, around 65%, and only 35% is available for export. So it is understood that we are talking about the favorite malt of the Scots.

The classic and oldest I had tried was the 10 y.o. and I can say that even in some of the newer ones I tried, my opinions are similar and very good. What really impressed me was the high intensity of its fruit-based aromas. A lot of lemon and orange but with great care so as not to cover the rest, honey and vanilla and in some newer versions and with other fruit aromas to play with our palate.

The combination with a cigar did not seem too difficult to me. I immediately thought of Montecristo. I can’t explain why though, probably because of old memories and matching of scents from the subconscious. The choice of which Montecristo didn’t seem too difficult, since they all look similar to me, except for some special editions and sizes. Without wanting to discredit the brand in question since it is excellent, I just have a tendency towards the heavier ones. I chose from the humidifier an 80 Aniversario, only 6 years in the humidifier, year of manufacture 2015, released on the market in 2017, it was just right for the occasion. With a 55mm ring and 165mm length, aficionados claim that this particular Montecristo 80th Anniversary is stronger than its usual ones.

Maybe it played a role that I had it in the humidifier for a long time but it seemed to me that the experts were right. At first very sweet and easy with light aromas of vanilla, fruit and spices and then coffee, pepper and wood, earthy aromas as in Partagas. Great experience and combination of the master blender managing to give such complexity and aromas at the same time to a cigar, not so much in size, as in taste and experience. Both very nice products, although they differ from my taste preferences – but to be fair both are a nine out of ten without a doubt.