Glenmorangie brings sun-kissed Spanish sweetness to a unique small-batch whisky
— Rich and indulgent limited edition is finished in rare Malaga wine casks —
Indulgently sweet and rich, Glenmorangie’s latest small-batch Highland single malt Scotch whisky brings the sun-kissed flavours of the south of Spain to whisky lovers old and new.
Enriched by the honeyed intensity of famed Malaga wine casks, 12-year-old limited edition Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish brims with chocolate, fruit and gentle spice.
Glenmorangie’s whisky makers have been on a ceaseless quest to create delicious single malt whiskies for more than 175 years. In Scotland’s tallest stills, whose necks are as high as a giraffe, they distil a more delicate spirit, ripe for experimentation. And captivated by the sweet, fortified wines made in the area surrounding southern Spain’s ancient city of Malaga, Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation, began to dream of the luscious tastes their casks might bring Glenmorangie.
Malaga wine casks are almost never used in Scotch whisky. But fascinated to lace Glenmorangie’s delicate creaminess with their intense sweetness, Dr Bill sourced a rare handful of first-fill Malaga ‘dulce’ casks (which once contained wines at the sweeter end of Malaga’s range). Then, in a unique experiment, he filled them with an eight-year-old whisky wonderfully softened by bourbon casks and left it to mellow in their depths.
After four years of finishing, Dr Bill was astonished by the whisky’s extraordinarily rich flavours, which wrap spice, raisins and dates around Glenmorangie’s vibrant citrus notes. And in July 2020, he hand-selected the very best of these casks to be bottled for the Distillery’s Barrel Select Release, which will be available from selected retailers.
Dr Bill said: “The honeyed aromas and fruity, chocolatey tastes of Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish take me straight to the sun-kissed south of Spain, where Malaga’s famed fortified wines are made. By finishing our soft, creamy whisky in Malaga ‘dulce’ casks, we’ve created an indulgently sweet and rich small-batch single malt. Our Barrel Select Release is delicious treat for whisky lovers old and new.”
Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish is available now from Clos19 and selected whisky specialists, RRP: £75.
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NOTES
Tasting Notes:
Glenmorangie Malaga Cask Finish is bottled at 47.3% ABV.
Colour: Chestnut
Nose: Sweet and rich, with honey, mead, toffee, baking bread and a hint of fragrant tea leaves. There is a subtle, perfumed top note, like stewed herbs and red fruits, and the suggestion of milk chocolate or cocoa powder. A few drops of water release more fragrance, like wood incense, roasting chestnuts and hints of muscovado sugar.
Taste: A rich, oily texture leads to an explosion of flavours – sultanas, raisins, dates, tangy mandarin orange, milk chocolate, honey and more brown sugar. There is always a vibrancy from the citrus, but it is harmoniously woven with the rich, sweet, syrupy flavours. Spices then emerge, like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and sweet star anise.
Finish: Long, mellow and nutty, with hints of hazelnut, honey and gentle oak.
RRP: £75
About Glenmorangie:
Glenmorangie’s Highland whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water, barley, yeast and time – to dream up delicious single malt whiskies. Known as the Distillers of Tain, they’ve been honing their craft for more than 175 years. In Scotland’s tallest stills, whose necks are as high as a giraffe, they produce a delicate and fruity spirit, ripe for experimentation. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden, this crackerjack crew are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single malt.
About Dr Bill Lumsden:
Dr Bill Lumsden’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And throughout his 25 years with Glenmorangie, he has challenged himself and his team to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be that a cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet), a long balmy day in Madeira (Glenmorangie Bacalta), a beautiful barley field by the Distillery (Glenmorangie Allta) and more. With a PhD in biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he is a new entry in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.
About Malaga wines:
Named after the historic city of Malaga (founded in the 12th Century BCE) Malaga is a denominated Spanish wine zone, renowned for its sweet, fortified wines. Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel are the main varieties of grape grown, with wines made in a variety of ways. A number of different types of wine are produced in the region, classed from dry to sweet (‘dulce’). Dr Bill Lumsden sourced ‘dulce’ wine casks for this small batch release.
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.
