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The Glenmorangie 18 Extremely Rare Overview?
Let’s get some facts on the table. This one has been aged for 15 years in American oak, then finished for 3 years in Oloroso sherry casks. It’s bottled at 43% ABV, which is decent for a whisky that’s aiming to impress without smacking you in the teeth.
Glenmorangie is renowned for its smooth and elegant character.
My First Impressions
You know that moment when you open a new bottle and pause? That was me. It smelled warm like a bakery and a fruit shop had got together in bed. Think:
- Apricots
- Toasted almonds
- A bit of honey
- Vanilla, of course. Glenmorangie loves their vanilla.
First sip?
Soft. Sweet. Calm. Like silk pyjamas for your taste buds. But let’s not get too carried away.
What Does It Actually Taste Like?
Here's the short version
| Taste Area | What I Got |
|---|---|
| Nose | Dried fruit, marzipan, a bit floral |
| Palate | Apricot, toffee, some spice (nutmeg?) |
| Mouthfeel | Light, smooth, creamy |
| Finish | Gentle. Vanilla and oak linger a bit |
The Verdict: How Did It Score?
Score: 7.8/10
It’s a good dram. It’s better than many 12-15-year-olds in its price range. But—and there’s always a but—it doesn’t knock your socks off. For something called “Extremely Rare,” I wanted it to slap me with something unforgettable.
That said, if you love:
- Smooth and easy-going whisky
- Sweet sherry notes without overpowering spice
- Something a little more polished than Glenmorangie 10
You’ll probably love it more than I did.
How It Stacks Up
I’ve made a little table below to show how Glenmorangie 18 compares to a few similar bottles I’ve had in the past month.
| Whisky | Age | Price (approx.) | ABV | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenmorangie 18 Extremely Rare | 18 yrs | £169 | 43% | 7.8 |
| Balvenie 17 DoubleWood | 17 yrs | £180 | 43% | 8.3 |
| GlenDronach 18 Allardice | 18 yrs | £210 | 46% | 8.6 |
| Aberfeldy 18 | 18 yrs | £110 | 43% | 7.4 |
For me, the GlenDronach wins in that price bracket. But if you’re into that soft, easy-drinking Highland vibe—and you’re not chasing big flavours—Glenmorangie 18 hits a nice sweet spot.
Would I Buy It Again?
Maybe. If I was gifting it to someone who likes the smoother side of whisky, definitely. It’s the kind of bottle that looks good on a shelf and feels premium enough to impress without being so intense that it scares people off.
But for me, personally? I like a bit more oomph. I want my whisky to challenge me.
Final Thoughts
If Glenmorangie 10 is a first date, the 18 is the long-term partner—reliable, elegant, maybe a bit predictable. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want.
Fancy a Bottle?
If you’re curious, I’ve stocked this on Lochs of Whisky – because despite my personal preferences, I know loads of people love this dram. And rightly so.
If you’ve tried it already, I’d love to know what you thought. Slide into the comments, or hit me up over on X (@lochsofwhisky).
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