Introduction

This week, we’re diving into a classic single malt: Glenmorangie The Original 10-Year Highland Scotch. For Brad and me, this was the single malt scotch that marked our first step into the world of Scotch whisky on the Film & Whiskey Podcast. Back then, we picked up a sampler pack of four small Glenmorangie bottles that gave us a low barrier to entry. At the time, neither of us had much experience with scotch, but Glenmorangie became an early guidepost.

This bottling was originally a 10-year age-stated whisky. Recently, Glenmorangie rebranded the expression, and it now carries a minimum age statement of 12 years. For this review, though, we tracked down an original 10-year bottle so that our guest, film critic Bilge Ebiri, could sip alongside us. Bilge admitted that he’s more of a bourbon drinker these days, but he was excited to revisit scotch with us.

Glenmorangie is a Highland single malt, meaning a whisky made entirely from malted barley, and the “single” signifies it comes from one distillery. That sets it apart from blended scotch such as Cutty Sark, which combines multiple distilleries’ output. Glenmorangie, based in the Highlands, clocks in at 43% ABV (86 proof), and is known as an approachable introduction to the scotch world.

Nose

Brad: This is honey. A little bit of apricot. There’s just a tiny bit of salinity. It’s a beautiful, classic Glenmorangie flavor. Honestly, if you had to point to a baseline for the brand, this is it. I love scotch, and it’s because of stuff like this. I’m at an 8/10.

Bob: I’m picking up a lot of that fruit character too, but for me it’s more citrus. I get lemon zest, layered with honey and soft fruit. Highland scotch is a great entry point, more spice than Speyside, but still delicate compared to Islay peat monsters. I’m also at an 8/10.

Bilge: Totally get the fruity smell. Everything you described feels spot on. I don’t know if I’d have the words for it myself, but once you said it, it clicked. It’s very layered.

Taste

Bob: This is like a lemon bar to me. A shortbread, buttery texture, bit of honey, and then a touch of bitterness and herbal notes on the back end. It’s not ashy, but it tips toward the vegetal. Really good — 8/10.

Brad: For me it’s honey and lemon meringue right up front, then turning into tart, fair-style lemonade. That vegetal bitterness at the end balances it out beautifully. I think it’s so freaking good. I’m at 8.5/10.

Bilge: As a bourbon guy, this is a totally different flavor profile, but I get what you mean. My issue with some scotches has been this kind of mealiness, almost like someone already drank it and I’m drinking what’s left. This is more enjoyable than that, but I still feel that earthy quality.

Finish

Bob: This is the low point for me. It turns more bitter and loses the fruit. The barley and herbaceous notes dominate. I’ll give it a 7/10, but that feels generous.

Brad: I’m right there: 7/10. It doesn’t fall off a cliff, but all the flavor is packed into the nose and palate. By the finish it slips into vegetal territory. I still like it, but it’s not as strong.

Bilge: “The experience is better up front than afterwards. That drop-off is noticeable.”

Balance

Bob: “If the nose, taste, and finish had all been 8s, the balance would be higher. But because of that fall-off, I’m going to give it a 7/10.”

Brad: “The shift from sweet to herbaceous is smooth and enjoyable for me, even if it’s not perfectly balanced. I’ll go 7.5/10.”

Value

Bob: “In Bilge’s neck of the woods this bottle runs about $50, which is still a good price for a 10-year single malt. At that point I’d say it’s an 8/10 value. But in Ohio? It’s $29.99. At thirty bucks this is a no-brainer, an easy 10/10.”

Brad: “Agreed. At $30, this is an absolute steal. I’m also at a 10/10.”

Bilge: “Since Bob sent me the bottle, it was free. So for me the value is priceless.”

Final Scores

• Bob: 40/50

• Brad: 41/50

That averages out to 40.5/50, or 81/100.

Conclusion

Glenmorangie The Original 10-Year isn’t the most complex scotch in the world, but at this price point, it’s one of the very best entry-level single malts you can buy. The nose and palate shine with honey, citrus, and buttery shortbread, even if the finish trails off into bitterness. At around $30–50 a bottle, it’s an outstanding value and a great way to break into the world of scotch.

For us, 35/50 is the threshold where we recommend trying a pour or buying a bottle. At over 40/50, Glenmorangie The Original is a clear “buy it now.”

Nose

Bilge: I can definitely pick up on the fruity aromas. Everything you just described feels spot on.

Taste

Bob: On the palate, I get vanilla, lemon bar, honey, and a shortbread-like butteriness. Toward the back, it tips just enough into bitterness to bring out herbal, vegetal notes. I’ll give it an 8/10.

Brad: I’m going higher at 8.5/10. The honey and lemon meringue balance beautifully at first sip, then shift into a tart fairground lemonade. The vegetal bitterness at the end feels medicinal in the best way. This is so good.

Bilge: As a bourbon drinker, the profile is definitely different. I used to enjoy single malt, but the blended flavors of scotch sometimes gave me a sense of mealiness—like drinking something that’s already been half-finished. But I can still appreciate the complexity here.

Finish

Bob: The finish is the low point for me. The barley turns heavy and herbaceous, with little lingering fruit. It leans vegetal and slightly bitter, which isn’t my favorite. I’m at a 7/10.

Brad: I’m also at 7/10. It doesn’t fall off a cliff, but it definitely drops compared to the nose and palate. Most of the flavor lives up front.

Bilge: The experience is definitely stronger at the beginning than at the end.

Balance

Bob: Because of that fall-off on the finish, I’m landing at a 7/10.

Brad: I think the progression from sweet to herbal is smooth and enjoyable, so I’ll go 7.5/10. But this isn’t a standout in terms of balance.

Value

Bob: At $50, I’d still call this a really good value. Few single malts with a 10-year age statement can be had for that price. I’d give it an 8/10, but when Brad told me it’s $30 in Ohio, I have to bump it to a 10/10.

Brad: Absolutely. Thirty bucks for a single malt of this quality? That’s a 10/10 all day long.

Bilge: Since Bob mailed me the bottle, I got it for free. So I’ll call that the best possible value.

Final Scores

Bob: 40/50
Brad: 41/50

Average: 40.5/50 (81/100)

Conclusion

Glenmorangie The Original 10-Year proves why it has long been considered one of the best entry points into the world of single malt scotch. At $50, it’s a solid value. At $30, it’s an unbeatable one. The whisky shines in its nose and palate, though the finish drifts into a vegetal bitterness that not everyone will love. Still, the overall balance, approachability, and price point make this a no-brainer.

On the Film & Whiskey scale, 35/50 is the mark where we recommend trying a pour or buying a bottle. At 40.5/50, Glenmorangie The Original earns an enthusiastic endorsement. For anyone looking to branch out from bourbon or dive into single malts for the first time, this is the place to start.