Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Glenmorangie has been crafting exceptional single malt whiskies since 1843. With a dedication to innovation and a passion for creating unique expressions, Glenmorangie invites whisky enthusiasts on a captivating journey through a range of exquisite flavors.
Glenmorangie: Elevating the Art of Cask Finishing
In the world of single malt Scotch whisky, Glenmorangie stands out for two remarkable qualities: their towering copper stills, the tallest in Scotland, and their unparalleled expertise in the art of cask finishing. These signature elements combine to create whiskies of exceptional finesse, complexity, and depth.
The towering stills allow only the lightest and purest vapors to ascend, resulting in a delicate and refined spirit. This is then masterfully guided through Glenmorangie's cask finishing process, honed over years of experience and experimentation. The result is a range of whiskies that showcase the distillery's commitment to innovation and excellence.
Each year, Glenmorangie releases limited-edition cask-finished expressions that push the boundaries of what's possible in whisky making. Recent standouts include "A Tale of Cake" (2020), finished in Sauternes dessert wine casks, and "A Tale of Winter" (2021), finished in Marsala wine casks. These highly acclaimed releases have solidified Glenmorangie's reputation as the master of cask finishing.
The visionary behind Glenmorangie's success is Dr. Bill Lumsden, who believes that up to 50% of a whisky's flavor comes from the oak casks, with the influence increasing over time. In the 1980s, he searched the world for the perfect wood, ultimately selecting slow-growth, tight-grained oak from the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. These "designer casks" are air-dried and lightly toasted, allowing for a gentle and nuanced interaction between the spirit and the wood.
Glenmorangie's core range is a testament to the distillery's cask finishing prowess. The elegant Glenmorangie Original 10 Years Old, a favorite of Dr. Bill's, is aged in a 6:4 ratio of first-fill to second-fill casks, setting the stage for the cask-finished expressions to shine. The Lasanta 12 Years Old and The Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old showcase the art of finishing in sherry and port casks, respectively, adding layers of depth and complexity to the whisky.
As the trend of cask-finished whiskies continues to grow, Glenmorangie remains at the forefront, constantly innovating and refining their techniques. However, Dr. Bill's pursuit of excellence extends beyond cask finishing. He has spent years studying the impact of different barley strains and yeast varieties on the whisky-making process, with the results evident not only in the core range but also in the distillery's annual limited editions and experimental releases, such as the 25-year-old Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve, finished in rare Chardonnay casks.
With their unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and the art of cask finishing, Glenmorangie is poised to remain a shining star in the world of Scotch whisky for generations to come.
The distillery's core range features five distinctive whiskies, each with its own story to tell:
Glenmorangie The Original 10 Years Old: The backbone of the range, this expression showcases the distillery's iconic smooth and balanced style. Matured in first- and second-fill American white oak ex-bourbon casks for a decade, The Original offers a delightful harmony of citrus, vanilla, and honeyed sweetness.
Glenmorangie The Lasanta 12 Years Old: An homage to the warmth and vibrancy of a sunset, The Lasanta is extra-matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. This process imparts rich, spicy notes of raisins, honeycomb, and dark chocolate, creating a whisky that's perfect for savoring as the day draws to a close.
Glenmorangie The Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old: A whisky that embodies the spirit of adventure, The Quinta Ruban is a portal to a realm of dark and enticing flavors. After initial maturation in ex-bourbon casks, this expression is finished in ruby port pipes from Portugal's Douro Valley, resulting in a complex medley of mint chocolate, walnut, and zesty orange.
Glenmorangie The Nectar d'Or: Inspired by the decadence of French patisseries, The Nectar is a whisky of unparalleled richness and complexity. Extra-matured in a combination of Sauternes, Monbazillac, Moscatel, and Tokaji wine casks, this expression boasts luscious notes of pastry, brioche, and baked apples, with hints of white chocolate and honeycomb.
Glenmorangie Signet: A whisky born from a moment of creative inspiration, Signet is a testament to Glenmorangie's innovative spirit. Crafted using a rare chocolate malt and a blend of the distillery's oldest stocks, this expression is a velvety explosion of mocha, spice, and dark chocolate, with a smooth butterscotch finish.
