A Scotch Walks Into A Port Bar: My Evening With Glenmorangie’s Quinta Ruban 14

Look, I’ll be honest with you – I never thought I’d find myself on a spiritual journey through Scotland, but here I am, glass in hand, staring into the ruby depths of Glenmorangie’s Quinta Ruban 14, wondering how I ended up here instead of doing my laundry like a responsible adult.

First things first – the nose on this whisky hits you like walking past a fruit stand during harvest season. There I was, minding my own business, when suddenly my nostrils were ambushed by a gang of mischievous grapes and their partners in crime, some rather sophisticated raisins. The aroma is like getting a postcard from a fancy European vacation before you’ve even left your couch.

As I ventured deeper into this Highland expedition, the mid-palate struck me with all the refinement of a wine connoisseur who actually knows what they’re talking about (unlike me at every dinner party). It’s like someone took a perfectly good dry wine and convinced it to try on a kilt – surprisingly, it works.

Just when I thought I had this spirit figured out, boom – dark chocolate appears like an unexpected plot twist in what I thought was a predictable movie. That rich, cocoa finish sneaks up on you with more stealth than my cat at dinner time.

Now, I won’t lie to you – this whisky’s presence is shorter than my commitment to New Year’s resolutions. It doesn’t stick around long enough to become a permanent memory, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in personality. It’s like that fascinating stranger you meet on vacation – brief encounter, great story.

The Quinta Ruban 14 might be brief in its stay, but like good first dates, sometimes it’s quality over quantity that counts. The journey from fruity nose through wine-soaked middle to chocolate finale might be quick, but it’s worth the ticket price.

Final verdict: This bottle has earned a permanent spot in my liquor cabinet. It’s got more layers than my winter clothing strategy and twice the charm. While it might not linger long on the palate, it’ll certainly leave a lasting impression on your appreciation for well-crafted Scotch.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out how to justify buying another bottle without my budget spreadsheet filing a formal complaint.

Drink responsibly – your tomorrow self will thank you.

P.S. – No taste buds were permanently marked by port wine in the making of this review.