I think the 14 is the refill barrels of the original first filled 12 yo port casks. The refills weren't maturing the 12 like fresh filled casks- so they extended maturation by 2 years. The 14 had a lighter cask influence. But more time for the wood oils to infuse- more oily mouthfeel. It's a bit closer to the glenmorangie character. The 12 is first filled port bomb. Both are great. Both are way better after a bit of bottle oxidation time. The 14 was disappointing for me initially. After 1/3 of the bottle was gone after a month- it was way better. You have to think.. what are they doing with those casks? They aren't throwing them away. They are reusing them for the 14 year.
Interesting thought. I was wondering what they could possibly have changed (from the 12 to the 14) seeing as the price jump from the 12 to the 14 is so little. I was expecting a 20 - 30% price increase but it's closer to 10%. I was thinking maybe they increased the bourbon cask aging from 10 in bourbon (with 2 years extra in fresh port) to 13 in bourbon (with 1 year in port). However, your explanation seems a bit more plausible with the use of second fill casks instead of first. I shall have to pick up a bottle here in SA and see what's up.
@@Frikkieman in the case of QR 12the aging barrel time was 10y on ex-bourbon and 2 years on the ruby port casks. The QR14 12 years and 6 months on exbourbon and 1 year with 6 months on the ruby port casks
Just scored a 12 for $50. One note on the color is that the 12 only states non chill filtered, so maybe a bit of coloring. The back road Liquor stores have been good to me on an odd ball here and there.
Many years ago a friend gave me a dram of the old Glenmorangie Portwood that he had kept in his bar. It’s was wonderful, so I went and bought the Quinta Ruban thinking it would be the same. It wasn’t. Not even close really. Since then, I’ve always preferred the Lasanta instead. Just a personal preference.
Scott and Bart, as much as I'm aware of -- The 14 is making due with blending, of various port finished durations. So instead of forced 10Y Bourbon / 2Y Port sequence, they're working up other finish combinations (13-1,12-2,11-3), looking to reach that desired experience. If it means they can assure stock to the Q.R., its [still] a welcoming approach.
When Ralfy discusses the subject of maturation, he typically points out that the quality of the cask makes all the difference. So a 12 year scotch aged in better casks may have been matured better than an 18 year with lesser casks. Example -Chivas has a 12 year age statement and I sometimes enjoy the dram. That said, I can immediately taste the reconditioned casks they have to use in order to push out that kind of volume at the price point they want.
Been curious to try this new 14yo. Age is never a guarantee of quality, but it is a testament of investment on the producer’s part. Good to see Glenmo bringing this. Perhaps the 14 will get closer for Bart as the bottle drops and complexities appear(?).
My guess is that glenmo had a bunch of refill port casks left over after finishing the 12yo. So they decided the finishing needed to be extended 2 years to achieve similar results in the 14yo as the old 12yo. Cheers gents.
Haven't tried the 14 year old, but still have plenty of the 12 sround these parts, just got one at a little mom-pop shop. They had ir lying there In a bottom shelf, because it didn't sell, got it fo 40 dollars. Thanks a lot Scott, thanks a lot Bart.
Enjoyed this review. Had the 12 as part of 4 pack sampler and enjoyed but found the new 14 year a bit more balanced and more round. Looks like they are about the same price too so something is "up". I think Glenmorangie says they both start these with the 10 yr original and then in the port for the last 2 for 12. And into bourbon and then port for the 14? Maybe the quality of the port barrels are not as good quality now compared with the original 12?? So how does this 14 compare with the Tomatin 14 year Port Wood? Cheers!!
I just bought the 14, I didn't get the chance to try the 12... little disappointed. I like the 14 but I think I'm more like Bart looking for the peat or something with a bite. its delicious but not really my preferred style. bang on the review Dummies thanks!
Nice review guys, I think they have just done the same with the Lasanta which is now a 14yr. I have just picked up a bottle of Laphroaig Brodir Port finished and was thinking of getting the Quinta Ruban 12yr or Tomintoul 15yr Port Wood. Keep up the good work, cheers Kev
Great comparison - one of my favorite bottles :) According to Glenmorangie lots of the whisky in the 12y was already aged 14y, so the differences are bound to be pretty subtle.
I enjoyed the Quinta Ruban 12 I had a couple of years ago. Reminded me of a hotter version of Aberlour A'bunadh (batch 53, I think). Lots of dark red fruits, nuts and hints of dark chocolate. . .and at about half the price. Great stuff for around Christmastime!
I had a similar experience with The Balvenie 12 Triple Cask recently, expecting it to surpass the DoubleWood, my great love. However, it felt flat to me, and I realised the third 'traditional whisky cask' didn't necessarily improve the whisky, but perhaps dilute the taste I fell in love with in the first place?
I must admit that I liked the 12 year Quinta Ruban & it was my favourite for a moment. Definitely preferred over the 14 year. In my opinion the 12 year had a smoother, more caramel fruity rounded finish than the 14. I recently tried the 12 year sherry finish Tomatin and was pleasantly surprised with the full flavor and smooth end it had at a price point $20 less than the Quinta Ruban.
I'm really loving my bottle of the 12. It's about 2/3 gone now sadly. I was really hoping somebody would review side by side with the new 14 and your review didn't disappoint! Thanks for doing this one guys. It's really makes you ponder just how much influence barrels have on the final product. Maybe these barrels were on the bottom 1/4 during aging and they decided to let them go another 2yrs before transferring to the finishing barrels. Or Like Durpurz mentioned, maybe the juice in the 14 went into refill barrels. Would LOVE to know!
I have the 12 yr. old and enjoy it. My next GLENMORAINGE bottle will be the LaSanta. Very nice comparison as always Guys!! Thanks!! Tonight was an Irish night for me with POWER'S Signature and REDBREAST 15. I am well into both bottles. THE POWER'S was malty and Creamy with un-Malted Barley Spice in the Finish. The REDBREAST 15 had more fruit notes, with the unsalted Barley Spice in the Finish. Both are very nice. SLÁINTE Mike
Thanks for doing this one Dummies! The Quinta Ruban 12 was, and still is, one of my favorites. Glad the new 14 isn’t too far off but guess it’s stock up a bit on that 12!
The psychic whisky overlords must be hard at work. I just picked up a bottle of the 12yr after enjoying it in a sampler pack. Naturally I went to see if some of my favorite whisky-tubers had reviewed it and it was like your 5th video ever lol, my how the times have changed! I was hoping that you'd review it again soon and bam here it is! Cheers!
I love the 12 QR, but I always found it s bit thin and hot. Flavour profile is incredible. If the 14 had added body and smoothed it out, I think it’s a win! Looking FWD to purchasing the 14. Cheers guys!
Great review gents! Love the old 12 version. But have not tried the 14 yet. My journey with the 12 did not have a great start but after the bottle got lower and aired out i really am enjoying it. And it can even take a little water! Bart stop drinking ice water it kills the palate and imo the whisky tastes better warmer.... Gotta get the them oils warmed up.... Just sayin!!! Love and peace! Slainté....Dummies.....
90 on both, nice I was routing for that. Lol. Both great but different. Like Bart says, age might not matter but they are both great...Scott’s score definitely reflects this notion. Great review guys.
Ive never tried the 12, the 14 suckered me right in like the age statement junkie i am, i like the overall bottling better of the twelve, but im eager to crack open the 14 and try it tonight after i close the inn down, especially after this review no matter what was said lol. It really is at a great pricepoint. Cheers from the state with the highest consumption of alchohol per capita!
The "I'll keep for people who collect" part was sarcasm. I like the LaSanta a little less so that's what I'll share with friends after golf. Cheers, boys!
The portvine producers has changed to bigger casks, that's the difference. The old port pipes was smaller, and had more interaction.. Glenmorangie was clever enough to upper the aging hence to the different port casks.
My market is holding out on the 14 until they sell off the 12 I guess, I'll compare when I can. Talking of age statements they dropped the age on the Nectar d'Or. In other news Ardbeg is coming out with a new 19yo and Laphroaig a 16yo so stocks are building in some places and some distilleries seem to be listening.
Quinta ROO-BAN! I enjoyed the 12yo -- a lot of the reviews are saying the 12yo is superior to the new 14yo. Interesting, would love to know what they did different w/this new 14yo. BTW, you guys are WAY over due for a shootout of some sort.
My guess is that they couldn't keep up with demand of the 12yo (it was incredible, especially at the price) so they narrowed the audience and volume, but in a genius way that will keep them the most passionate fans. If they went to NAS, they would have lost the hardcore in exchange for noobies.
sounds like they ran out of port casks, so the reused the ones they had, and matured an extra two years to make up for it. Most of the port ended up in the 12 though!
12 is indeed better than the 14. The new 14 isn’t bad but has a thinner mouthfeel and less of the port characters. It does open up as you work through the bottle to reveal more fruitiness. It’s not bad but given a choice the 12 would be the one!
Scott’s reviews are starting to sound more and more like Borat. His go-to tasting note is “VERY NICE.” 😂 Hey Scott...HIGH FIVE! pics.me.me/very-nice-high-five-erator-net-35477192.png
The 14 is finished longer so its strange that you get less port on the 12, fresher wetter barrels I guess. Over all though the finish time should be better in the 14, They are doin a 4 year finish time now and that is a nice long finish time. It all goes back to the quality of the barrel though. The 14 is a nice buy at 55 bucks for a 14 year old finished Scotch at 46% pretty good value I would say. Nice review Gents.
Not really. I read lately that the QR12 was 10 years on exbourbon and the other 2 years on ruby port. But the QR14 aged 12 years and six months on the ex bourbon casks and 1 1/2 year on the ruby port casks. Also we should considerate those casks maybe are overused (to create the QR12) so the port influence is slightly weaker
