Once in a while, everyone's got to strip off all the excess flotsam and jetsam that life tends to deposit on us and take themselves back to formula. Everyone, that is, except most whiskey makers, most of whom are afraid to part their hair the other way for fear that millions of centuries of classic style and flavor (all good whiskey stories have just a little artist's embellishment) will be lost as a result - all with their hand on the whiskey-thief. As such, it's always interesting to see a storied whiskey house decide to make some changes. Glenmorangie (which is often mispronounced; it rhymes with "orange-ee"), a classic name in the pantheon of single malt Scotch, isn't just parting their hair a different way; they're switching from overly-complicated Coolio-style braids to George Clooney-esque classic form (not Rosanne-era, mullet George, but Oscar-winning rich bachelor George.) Glenmorangie has trimmed the 'do back to six different expressions of Scotchy bliss. My Scottish ancestors must be looking out for me, because I was lucky enough to attend a private event in Chicago hosted by Glenmorangie Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden himself, where he personally tasted us through his newest creations. They are: |
Glenmorangie Gets a Trim
Pictures
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Glenmorangie - The Original
A remake of the classic 10-year. Dr.
Lumsden wanted to take this idea back to
formula, as recent versions were
actually 40% 11, 12, and 13-years old.
This is a smooth, mouthfilling expression
that holds very true to the classic
Glenmoranige flavor profile for the truly
devoted fans.
A remake of the classic 10-year. Dr.
Lumsden wanted to take this idea back to
formula, as recent versions were
actually 40% 11, 12, and 13-years old.
This is a smooth, mouthfilling expression
that holds very true to the classic
Glenmoranige flavor profile for the truly
devoted fans.
Glenmorangie - The Quinta Ruban
The name "Quinta" is taken from the
Portuguese word for a farm estate
where Port grapes would be grown,
and Ruban is Gaelic for ruby or red.
This expression is "extra matured" in
Port barrels which adds a chocolatey,
red-velvety finish to the whisky that is
untouched by chill-filtration.
The name "Quinta" is taken from the
Portuguese word for a farm estate
where Port grapes would be grown,
and Ruban is Gaelic for ruby or red.
This expression is "extra matured" in
Port barrels which adds a chocolatey,
red-velvety finish to the whisky that is
untouched by chill-filtration.
Glenmorangie - The Lasanta
"La Santa" in Gaelic means "warmth"
and "passion." This expression is extra
matured in Oloroso sherry casks from
Jerez in the south of Spain. These
barrels impart a nuttiness to The
Orginal, and the fruit characteristics
from the sherry help to activate the
fruitiness of the malt.
"La Santa" in Gaelic means "warmth"
and "passion." This expression is extra
matured in Oloroso sherry casks from
Jerez in the south of Spain. These
barrels impart a nuttiness to The
Orginal, and the fruit characteristics
from the sherry help to activate the
fruitiness of the malt.
Glenmorangie - The Nectar d'Or
The "Golden Nectar" takes its name
from the delicious Sauternes white
dessert wine barrels that The Original
beautiful golden hue to the whisky,
and imbue it with a light, non-cloying
touch of honey and fig and beautiful
silky mouthfeel.
The "Golden Nectar" takes its name
from the delicious Sauternes white
dessert wine barrels that The Original
beautiful golden hue to the whisky,
and imbue it with a light, non-cloying
touch of honey and fig and beautiful
silky mouthfeel.
Beyond these four beauties, there is still room for classic "very
rare" Glenmorangie 18-year and 25-year expressions, as well.
The 18 is The Original, but with even more depth,
sophistication, and complexity, aided by extra maturation in
hand-picked Oloroso sherry barrels. Unfortunately, at this
event, the 25-year (or "Quarter Century") was still on the
transport ship from Scotland, so we were unable to sample it
next to its cousins. Rest assured, if the 25-year follows this
same path, it will be well worth the wait indeed.
Glenmorangie has recreated itself in a way that could be a
benchmark for other storied distilleries to emulate in the
future, as the demand for expertly-made whiskies continues to
grow around the world. The competitors can simply walk into
their corner barbershop with a picture of the new
Glenmorangie, and say, "Can you make me look like this?'
rare" Glenmorangie 18-year and 25-year expressions, as well.
The 18 is The Original, but with even more depth,
sophistication, and complexity, aided by extra maturation in
hand-picked Oloroso sherry barrels. Unfortunately, at this
event, the 25-year (or "Quarter Century") was still on the
transport ship from Scotland, so we were unable to sample it
next to its cousins. Rest assured, if the 25-year follows this
same path, it will be well worth the wait indeed.
Glenmorangie has recreated itself in a way that could be a
benchmark for other storied distilleries to emulate in the
future, as the demand for expertly-made whiskies continues to
grow around the world. The competitors can simply walk into
their corner barbershop with a picture of the new
Glenmorangie, and say, "Can you make me look like this?'
A collection of Scotchy
deliciousness signed by
Glenmorangie Master
Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden.
deliciousness signed by
Glenmorangie Master
Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden.
Inside our gift bags were
some bottles of the new
expressions that barely
survived the train ride
home.
some bottles of the new
expressions that barely
survived the train ride
home.
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