Glenmorangie Lasanta 15 Year Review: The Next Step for Bourbon Drinkers Curious About Single Malt Scotch
- Jes Smyth
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
If you read my write-up on Glenmorangie The Original, perhaps you were inspired to take that first step into the land of malt. If so, congratulations—you've crossed the bridge! Now that you're safely on the other side, hopefully with the realization that all Scotch doesn't have to be smoky, peaty, or intimidating, it's time to take the next step. The question now is: where do you go from here?
Well, I'm glad you asked. Because the Lasanta 15 year just might be the answer. Where The Original showcased the bright, elegant side of Glenmorangie's signature style, Lasanta 15 turns down the lights into something warmer, darker, and more complex. The transformation is driven by maturation in casks that are likely familiar to both bourbon and wine drinkers alike.
Matured in both ex-bourbon and sherry casks, Lasanta invites a richer, more layered profile. You're no longer asking whether Scotch is worth exploring. Instead, the question becomes how different casks can shape and elevate the very same distillate, revealing an entirely new side of the whisky.
So, perhaps the next logical question is this: How well did Glenmorangie balance the influence of two very different casks with the character of its own distillate? I, for one, was certainly curious. Having sampled a range of sherry-matured single malts throughout my journey into this category, I've come to appreciate just how delicate that balance can be. Too much sherry and the distillate fades into the background. Too little, and it feels as though the whisky never truly got the chance to know its barrel. It's certainly a delicate dance between spirit and cask where each complements the other without either demanding the spotlight.
So, how does Lasanta 15 hold up to the demands of such an intricate balancing act? More importantly, is it the logical next step for bourbon drinkers venturing deeper into the world of single malt Scotch? The answers await in the glass—and in the tasting notes below.
Before I dive in, I'd like to thank Glenmorangie for the opportunity to sample Lasanta 15. In accordance with Amongst the Whiskey's editorial policy, this review comes with no strings attached and reflects my own honest thoughts after multiple tastings on a sober palate.
Company on Label: Glenmorangie
Whiskey Type: Highland single malt Scotch whisky
Mash Bill Percentages: 100% malted barley
Proof: 80° (40%)
Age: 15 years
MSRP: $69.99
Further Identification: This expression was aged for 15 years in used sherry and bourbon casks
Nose: Rich and vibrant, the nose immediately opens with crushed red grapes, baked peach pie, tea cakes topped with milk chocolate frosting, and cinnamon sprinkled over freshly baked Hawaiian rolls. It feels like stepping into an intimate, dimly lit space—wide-open patio doors inviting in the evening air, gauzy curtains gently moving in the breeze, and a glittering cityscape stretching out below. Deeper inhales reveal more of the bourbon cask influence, bringing forward clove, cinnamon, and a gentle warmth. There’s also a marshmallow-like quality here—soft, fluffy, and sweet. The sherry influence is impossible to ignore; in fact, there are moments when I find myself searching for the whisky beneath the richness of the sherry.
Returning to the glass after a few sips, the balance begins to reveal itself. Chocolate syrup and silky honey weave their way through the fruit and sherry notes, accompanied by a subtle touch of brine and sand. As the last drops disappear, the aromas remain remarkably persistent, continuing to offer indulgent dessert notes of milk chocolate syrup drizzled over warm, flaky croissants.
Palate: Oh, yum. Fruity, sherry-forward, and silky, with bursts of cinnamon spice, ripe peach, and a gentle crack of black pepper. The second sip is just as expressive as the first, with the sherry influence taking center stage and carrying through into a finish of cinnamon and ginger. The fruit remains present, though I find myself searching a little more intentionally for the whisky beneath the richness of the sherry. With patience, notes of milk chocolate and silky honey begin to emerge, adding a softer sweetness beneath the bolder flavors. After several sips, the finish takes on a slightly drying quality, which may be where the faint tree nut character I’m noticing begins to appear. My final sip is a melody of silk, sherry, peach pie, summer fruit compote, and warming oak spice. This is a pour meant for cool evenings, long gazes, and light touches.
TL;DR: A layered whisky that reveals itself with time and patience
Rating: 3.5/5
This pour is remarkably approachable, especially with a 15-year age statement. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a first step for someone completely new to single malt Scotch, it is a great next step for those ready to explore beyond the basics. It may even highlight the many ways this category can surprise and challenge a curious palate.
