GLENMORANGIE LAUNCHES PRIDE 1974 – ITS OLDEST AND RAREST WHISKY
One of the most prestigious Highland single malts ever created by Glenmorangie has been revealed this week. Building on the success of the exclusive bottlings of Pride 1981 (released in 2011) and Pride 1978 (released in 2014) with the launch of Pride 1974.
Crafted by Dr Bill Lumsden, the new 41-year-old edition was laid down on 30th October 1974 in combination of ex-bourbon casks and ex-Oloroso sherry butts then left to mature until Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie deemed the whisky had reached its very peak more than four decades later.
Dr Bill said: “Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the oldest and deepest Glenmorangie ever to be released. Its age lends the whisky an enriched intensity, borne only of a slow, patient maturation. The result is an exquisite blend of deep, rich, salty and spicy aromas – aged balsamic vinegar, salted caramel toffee and oranges, leading to tastes of baked apples, toffee, oranges and brown sugar.”
Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the third limited-edition release in the Pride collection, which showcases the Distillery’s most rare and treasured malts. There will only be 503 crystal decanters available worldwide.
To mark the release of the distillery’s oldest whisky, Glenmorangie and renowned piano maker Steinway & Sons, have collaborated with Steinway Artist Aaron Diehl, to compose a piece of music which embodies the whisky’s rare beauty.
Diehl found inspiration at the Distillery where Glenmorangie’s exceptional whisky has been crafted since 1843. His composition echoes the creative spirit of Glenmorangie Pride 1974, drawing on its depth of character and its long maturation. Diehl, a world-renowned pianist, premiered his work alongside the whisky last night in New York.
Bottled at 52% ABV, Glenmorangie Pride 1974 will be released in May with an RRP of £7,200. Only 503 decanters of Glenmorangie Pride 1974 will be available worldwide.
www.glenmorangie.com
NOTES:
Tasting Notes:
Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is non chill-filtered and bottled at 52% ABV.
Colour: Mahogany
Nose: Wonderful, deep, rich, salty and spicy flavours. Salted caramel toffee, chocolate truffles. Turkish delight, rum-and-raisin-flavoured ice-cream, and a hint of aged balsamic vinegar. Three or four drops of water release myriad complex vapours, reminiscent of warn brioche, yeast floor, ginger-snap biscuits and subtle, gentle blood orange, finally giving way to more hints of brioche, baked bread and cedar wood.
Taste: For a whisky of such age, the mouthfeel is soft, leading to surprisingly vibrant flavours of baked apples, oranges, honey and menthol. Lots of toffee, molasses, double cream and spicy clove and aniseed.
Finish: The aftertaste is lingering but gently soothing, with pecan nuts, leather, fudge and creamy café latte.
About Glenmorangie:
Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky originates in the Scottish Highlands where, at the Glenmorangie Distillery, it is distilled in the tallest malt whisky stills in Scotland for a purer spirit, expertly matured in the finest oak casks for great depth, and perfected by the Men of Tain, who have passed their skills down the generations, often from father to son. These select craftsmen go to unseen lengths to ensure that Glenmorangie is made in the same unhurried, uncompromising way as it always has been. The Distillery was founded in 1843 and is renowned as a pioneer in its field, uniting tradition with innovation.
About the Glenmorangie Pride series:
This exceptional series of whiskies showcases the most rare and treasured creations ever to emerge from the Glenmorangie Distillery. The first in the series, Glenmorangie Pride 1981, is a 28-year-old whisky, matured for 18 years in Glenmorangie’s finest oak casks, and then extra-matured for ten years in Sauternes barriques from the fabled vineyards of Chateau d’Yquem. Glenmorangie Pride 1978 was the second release. First matured for 19 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, it then spent a further 15 years in five casks which once held a Premier Grand Cru claret. Glenmorangie Pride 1974, is the most highly prized whisky yet in the series. This 41-year-old single malt owes its exquisite character to the marriage of two whiskies from two casks, one matured for its entire life in ex-bourbon casks, the other in ex-Oloroso sherry butts.
About the premiere of Glenmorangie Pride 1974 and Aaron Diehl’s composition:
Glenmorangie Pride 1974 will be unveiled alongside Aaron Diehl’s composition in Manhattan, New York, on March 23rd, 2017]. There, a select group of collectors and connoisseurs will share in a rare moment of beauty, which pays homage to the traditions of craftsmanship and creativity shared by Glenmorangie and Steinway & Sons. At the premiere, Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, will reveal the character of Glenmorangie Pride 1974, and Steinway Artist Aaron Diehl will perform his work inspired by the expression, on the exceptional Steinway D concert piano.
About Dr Bill Lumsden:
Dr Bill Lumsden is Glenmorangie’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation, Distilling & Whisky Stocks. Dr Bill is regarded by the malt whisky industry as an innovator, creating whiskies which have revolutionised the single-malt market. In recognition of his team’s work, The Glenmorangie Company was named Distiller of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2012. Dr Bill, who has a PhD in biochemistry, has combined art and science in his work since he joined The Glenmorangie Company in 1995. He is renowned for his groundbreaking wood management techniques, experimentation with exceptional casks at various ages, and use of extra-maturation. Dr Bill has won a series of prestigious awards and accolades. He recently added to his plaudits by winning the 2015 International Spirits Challenge’s special recognition award for a Master Distiller/Blender. He was further honoured with the title of Master Distiller/Blender of the Year, at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2016 awards.
About Steinway & Sons:
Since 1853, Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and investment value. Because of a dedication to continuous improvement, today’s Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.
About Aaron Diehl:
Diehl is a 2007 graduate of The Juilliard School, the American Pianists Association’s 2011 Cole Porter Fellow, and a Monterey Jazz Festival Commission Artist. His work on Cécile McLorin Salvant’s For One To Love earned him a Grammy Award, and his latest album, Space, Time, Continuum, emphasises artistic interactions between generations. Aaron Diehl recently had his debut with the New York Philharmonic performing George Gershwin’s Concerto in F. He has also collaborated with Philip Glass on his complete piano Études, and scored Jeremy McQueen’s ballet The Black Iris Project.
About the decanter of Glenmorangie Pride 1974:
The rare expressions in the Glenmorangie Pride series are contained within sleek, crystal decanters, designed by Laurence Brabant, one of
the design world’s most talented glassware specialists. For each expression, Brabant’s exclusive design has been tailored to the individual character of the whisky within. In the case of Glenmorangie Pride 1974, the unique cask make-up of the expression is engraved in the decanter’s golden, metallic detailing. The decanter is protected by a box with a lacquered cherry wood veneer and a mirrored interior, which reflects the rarity of Glenmorangie Pride 1974.
About Laurence Brabant:
Over the past decade, Laurence Brabant has established herself as one of the design world’s most talented glassware specialists. Inspired by the fragility of glass, she uses the material to play with light and colour and
experiment with the characteristics of visibility. Her work has been showcased globally and she has worked with Jean Paul Gaultier & Philippe Starck, among others. Laurence designed Glenmorangie Pride 1981, Glenmorangie Pride 1978 and Glenmorangie Pride 1974.
Responsible Drinking:
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking and suggests that drinkers savour Glenmorangie whiskies in moderation and in line with recommended daily guidelines for alcohol consumption.
