Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Glenmorangie ended its 'Private Edition' series in 2019 with Allta. Since then, fans have been wondering what's next. 'A Tale of Cake' answers that with a whisky finished in Tokaji dessert wine casks from Hungary. Tokaji barrels aren't often used for maturing whisky (although Benriach et al have pushed out some crackers). This version has been described as "Nectar d’Or on acid", with Bill Lumsden setting out to create a whisky that encapsulates the joy of cake - and with 'Morangie's sweet, citrusy spirit, it works quite well. Collectors will also be drawn to the whimsical, colourful presentation. A Tale of Cake is a genuine one-time release. Based on current allocations, we don't expect this to be around for long.

Tasting note: [50ml sample] This deep gold Glenmorangie suggests pineapple pudding and sponge cake on the nose with a slightly citrusy, acidic lift. Smells sweeter than it tastes. A delicious early thread of vanilla malt, dried coconut and spiced pear flavours follow with hints of toasted almond, iced tea and crisp oak. It's all very subtle, finishing oily-yet-fruity in a vaguely tropical way (dried mango, pineapple pudding). Quite likeable, but also fairly fleeting. 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... So rare for acacia honey to show so early on a 'Morangie, but there it is and does a great job in offering the delicate touch to the busier spices. Sadly there's a dull throb of an off-key cask which gets a little too loud for comfort at the finish. 87 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021

...With no age statement, a design made for kindergarten (or for Ronnie McDojnald) and a finishing in Tokaji, will this really be a piece of cake? In whisky, ex-Tokaji wood has been known for its capacity of wrecking even the most spectacular distillates, such as, err, Longrow. But I agree Glenmo isn’t Longrow, and that fun is much needed these days… Colour: light gold. Nose: fresher and zestier than expected, rather on pink grapefruits than on candied raisins or late-harvest furmint. Some peaches too, apricots, lemon biscuits, then longans and probably dried litchis, which would rather lead us towards gewurztraminer, but there, no harm done. Mouth: rather creamy, very easy, rather on oriental pastries, icewine or even ice cider, nougat and popcorn. Lemon drops and touches of mint liquorice. Finish: medium, rather on plum spirit. Rather damson eau-de-vie actually, which I’m about to distil again later in November, by the way, with my loyal 100-l hybrid copper still. A little coffee in the aftertaste. Comments: I think this is a success. The Tokaji was clean, the whisky smooth, and our friends valiant. 85 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com