A “quinta” is a vineyard in Portugal where grapes to make port wine are grown. The importance of this to a Glenmorangie single malt is all in the flavor-rich barrels.
Glenmorangie’s Quinta Ruban, like the distillery’s Lasanta and Nectar d’Or, is first aged for ten years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. The paths in the lives of these three exceptional Scotches diverge when the Lasanta heads for Oloroso and PX sherry casks, the Nectar d’Or beds down in French Sauternes casks for a couple of years, and the Quinta Ruban snuggles into some cozy port pipes to complete its maturation process—tapered wooden barrels in which sweet, complex Portuguese ruby port wines are perfected.
Dark, rich, sweet, and earthy flavors from the port are reflected in this intricately balanced whisky—sultanas, cherries, vanilla mixed with oak, dark chocolate and bright, juicy oranges. The aromas are warm and sweet as well: sandalwood is prevalent as are nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, and black pepper.
Glenmorangie is a distillery known for innovation in cask-finishing on their well-respected single malts; Quinta Ruban is another success story where the chosen maturation vessels have imparted the very best characteristics upon the precious fluid contained within. When fine port meets fine Scotch beautiful things happen, and beautiful flavors emerge.
