Introduction
Today, we’re diving into Glenmorangie Astar, a limited-release Scotch from Glenmorangie’s impressive lineup. We’ve had great experiences with Glenmorangie in the past, and Astar stands out as one of their higher-proof offerings. This single malt Scotch is non-chill filtered, aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, and bottled at 52.5% ABV (105 proof). Typically retailing around $100, Astar is positioned as a more premium expression from Glenmorangie. Let's break it down and see how it fares.
This review is taken from our episode "Heat / Glenmorangie Astar." Click the link to listen to the review in audio format.
Nose
Bob: Right off the bat, the nose surprised me. It’s full of apple juice, not apple cider but more of a straightforward, sweet apple juice. Then there’s a big hit of strawberry—almost like strawberry jelly or Jell-O. It’s an incredibly fruity and candy-like aroma, which isn’t what I typically expect from Glenmorangie, but I really enjoyed it. I’m giving it an 8/10 on the nose.
Brad: For me, it was a little different. I got a lot of mustiness upfront, along with honey and some dried tart cherry. There’s also a hint of nutmeg, and the oak really starts to come through the longer you sit with it. While I liked it, I wasn’t blown away. I’m going with a 7/10 for the nose.
Taste
Bob: The palate is where Astar really shines for me. It starts off super sweet, like apple juice, with melon and strawberry notes carrying over from the nose. But then, as you move to the mid-palate, it becomes an explosion of smoke and char, with that classic Highland barley flavor coming through. It’s such a sharp contrast between sweet and smoky, and I love the complexity. This is one of the most interesting Glenmorangie experiences I’ve had. I’m giving it a 9.5/10 on taste.
Brad: I didn’t have the same love for the palate as Bob did. The oak was overpowering for me, and there was a strong tannic presence. It tasted a bit too bitter, and there was an odd note that reminded me of Dove soap, which threw me off. I could still tell it’s Glenmorangie, but it wasn’t hitting the right spots for me. I’m only giving it a 6/10.
Finish
Bob: On the finish, I think Astar loses some steam. It brings in some piney and vegetal notes but also turns a bit bitter. It doesn’t dry out the mouth like tannins do, but it does have that sharp tartness. Still, the overall experience is pretty good. I’m landing at a 7/10 for the finish.
Brad: I actually thought the finish was an improvement over the palate. It had a nice toasted oak character, and I finally got a bit of sweetness—a faint vanilla note that I enjoyed. It’s not wildly different from the palate, but it sits a little better. I’m giving it a 6.5/10.
Balance
Bob: While the palate was a standout for me, the transition from nose to finish wasn’t seamless. The flavors felt slightly disconnected, but overall, the positives outweighed the negatives. I’m giving Astar an 8/10 for balance.
Brad: For me, this is where Astar struggled the most. The movement between flavors just didn’t work, and the transitions were awkward. It didn’t feel cohesive. I’m giving it a 5/10 on balance.
Value
Bob: Glenmorangie Astar typically retails around $100, which puts it in premium territory. Despite Brad’s experience, I think this is a fantastic bottle, especially for fans of complex, higher-proof Scotches. It offers a lot of flavor for that price, and while it’s not cheap, I’d say it’s still a pretty good value. I’m giving it a 7/10 on value.
Brad: My thoughts on value are very different. At $100, I just can’t justify it for what I tasted. If this were priced around $40, I’d be more forgiving, but at triple digits, I’m giving it a 1/10 on value.
Final Scores
Bob: Overall, I really enjoyed Glenmorangie Astar. It’s got the sweetness of a Highland Scotch but with a boldness you don’t often see from Glenmorangie. I’m giving it a total score of 39.5/50.
Brad: This one just didn’t work for me, and I think my experience was definitely affected by the intense oak and soapiness. My final score is 25.5/50.
Conclusion
Glenmorangie Astar is clearly a divisive whisky for us. While Bob found it to be an exciting, complex pour, Brad didn’t connect with it and found the balance and value lacking. At a combined average of 32.5/50, we’re split on recommending this bottle. If you can find it for a good price and enjoy high-proof Scotch with contrasting sweet and smoky notes, it might be worth your while to give it a try.
At Film & Whiskey, we typically recommend trying a pour at a bar or buying a bottle if it scores above 35/50. For context, a 40/50 is considered great, and a 45/50 is excellent.
