The Scottish Glenmorangie Distillery has launched another edition in the cool and special series created by Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden. This time, the focus is on the flavors of Tokyo.
Before we talk about Tokyo, let's sail back to 1843, the year when William Matheson, a Scottish Highlander, fulfilled a dream and established his own distillery named Glenmorangie, meaning "Valley of Tranquility." This name is derived from the enchanting landscape where the distillery is located, between green hills and abundant water sources.
Whisky enthusiasts have known the brand for many years, and it can be found on many shelves. The combination of Scottish barley, spring water, and natural yeast expresses the unique terroir where the distillery is located. Added to this are exceptionally tall stills that produce a smooth and floral distillate, creating the unique character of this single malt.
What is also beautiful about Glenmorangie is the innovation accompanying a product considered conservative and stable. Dr. Bill Lumsden, the distillery's Master Blender, is a colorful and thrill-seeking character who consistently integrates innovative and colorful niches into the classic, intriguing traditional whisky enthusiasts while also appealing to new drinkers.
The Story of a Distillery
In Glenmorangie's catalog, there are many familiar expressions such as Glenmorangie Original, the distillery's flagship. This whisky ages in ex-bourbon barrels that have undergone double filling. It is round and smooth with an aroma hinting at oranges and tangerines, a bit of peaches and baked apricots, alongside vanilla and toffee.
In the "finishes" series, you will find Glenmorangie Original that undergoes additional aging in various barrels. For example, Lasanta, which gets extra aging time in Oloroso sherry and Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels for an additional two years, and Quinta Ruban, which ages further in ruby port barrels, giving it mint chocolate aromas, tangerines, oranges, wood chips, walnuts, and a finish of pepper and nutmeg.
Glenmorangie 18 YO is a mature single malt aged for 15 years in American barrels. Part of it is transferred to Oloroso sherry barrels. When it reaches 18 years, the two are mixed again into a special, floral, fruity, and sweet whisky.
Glenmorangie Signet is a combination of the oldest single malts in the distillery, aged in the best barrels. It is the richest whisky from Glenmorangie.
The Story of a Series
One of Dr. Lumsden's most fascinating creations is the ever-evolving "A Tale of ..." series, where the distillery annually releases a unique whisky connected to the master's memories and the search for exceptional cask finishes.
The series has included three expressions so far: "A Tale of Cake," born from Bill's realization that all his good memories are accompanied by comforting cake. This whisky starts its aging period in bourbon barrels and continues to a finish in Tokaji dessert wine barrels.
"A Tale of Winter" sends us to cold days in front of the fireplace. This whisky ages in bourbon barrels and finishes in Sicilian Marsala wine barrels.
"A Tale of the Forest" brings to the bottle all the scents Lumsden absorbs from his walks in the forest near his home. This is Glenmorangie's first whisky made from barley malted using forest plant smoke, and it is rich and herbaceous.
A Tale of Tokyo
The latest in Lumsden's whisky tales is "A Tale of Tokyo." After years of searching and driven by his passion for rich Japanese culture, tradition, and cuisine, Lumsden created a single malt aged in Mizunara casks, a wood mainly grown in East Asia, in areas like Japan, Korea, and East China.
Besides the geographic uniqueness, the Mizunara tree has a very long growth period—it takes 200 years for the tree to reach the proper size.
Mizunara barrels impart a lot of flavor in the early stages of their use and are considered very intense. After a short aging period, the influence of the Mizunara barrel is described as adding an incense-like sensation to the whisky. In addition to the special barrels, Dr. Bill chose to use ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels as well.
The result is a single malt with very herbaceous aromas, hints of incense and toffee. The flavor offers a spicy and juicy mouthfeel, full of almond, various roots, and raisin flavors. A surprising and diverse single malt. The price: NIS 320.