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

"What a fun whisky! And 94? Tempted to give it a 99... " - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2025-26

Vanillin is an aromatic compound which naturally brings vanilla flavours to whisky. When you toast barrels, the lignin (which aids the wood’s structure) breaks down and releases compounds including vanillin. It's the secret to this new limited edition: New oak casks have been especially toasted to bring out more of those dessert-like qualities, hence these casks being called “high-vanillin” casks. An invitation to lean into your sweet tooth! 46% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... Aged in high vanillan and bourbon casks; slightly flatter in style than normal 'Morangies, but there is a thick seam of vanilla here, warmed by spice. Love that orange / tangerine swirl. Whoa! What happened there? Now that is very, very different. Even that first sip with that unique mouthfeel has your mind screeching in surprise. This has a very fat, creamy texture (a bit like ice cream, come to think of it)... I had to wrestle this one off my PA, after she hid it. What a fun whisky! And 94? Tempted to give it a 99... 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2025-26

Glenmorangie’s mad scientist Dr. Bill Lumsden and master blender Gillian Macdonald worked with whiskies aged in oak that was specially toasted to draw out vanillin from the wood. The experiment worked: This whisky delivers a cornucopia of vanilla-inflected sweets, from ice cream to fudge to fresh whipped cream. The sweets are backed by a malty heart that shows honey, cinnamon, and a bit of custardy tang. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

I rather enjoyed the ‘Tale of Cake’ (WF 85) and found the ‘Tale of Tokyo’ (WF 88) even more to my taste, but this one comes with the note that it was ‘aged in high vanillin and bourbon casks.’ High-vanillin casks, you say? Well, more seriously, it seems that it’s a specific toasting method that enhances the vanillin content produced by American oak. So, after chocolate malt, here’s vanilla casks. Colour: gold. Nose: I’m mainly getting green tea and coconut, layered over hazelnut cake and some Streusel. You could argue that Streusel could also come filled with vanilla cream. There’s a youthful edge, but the oak knows its place. Mouth: it’s got a bit more bite to it, with a slightly green tannic quality that brings the green tea to the forefront again, followed by spices—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg—and a touch of slightly rough peach skin. Finally, some freshly pressed oranges with a hint of saffron. Finish: medium length, with a bit of green oak. Bitter oranges linger on the aftertaste. Comments: I think I might have missed that famous high-vanillin, and the ice cream even more so. Still, I find it quite enjoyable, though I believe I preferred the earlier ‘Tale’ releases. 82 points - whiskyfun.com