From the dawn of time we came, moving silently down through the centuries. No one has known we’re among you….until now.
According to the legend, the area around Tain, Scotland has been producing spirits since the Middle Ages.
He of the Clan Macleod was born in 1518 in the Scottish Highlands. Sitting inside the bar inside the Peter McManus Cafe, he asks the bartender for a drink; 467 years later.
It’s neat when legends collide in a ‘this makes you think’ moment. The drink Connor Macleod, the immortal Highlander, orders is a double Glenmorangie on the rocks. The Glenmorangie distillery is in…Tain [cue suspenseful music here].
The Glenmorangie Distillery, Tain, The Highlands, Scotland
Legends shrouded in the mists of time notwithstanding, in reality Glenmorangie, with Scotland’s tallest stills, produces 10 million bottles a year. The core range whiskies are aged in American white oak casks. The wood to make said casks come from Glenmorangie’s own forest in the Ozarks.
All the whiskies, from core range to limited edition are done under the keen eye and tastes of Dr. Bill (Lumsden). It’s his blended approach of science and curiosity that has moved – ok, maybe pushed and at times dragged – Glenmorangie out of the past and into new and different flavors (how can a single malt called ‘A Tale Of Cake’ not sound tempting?).
Things haven’t always been rosy for the distillers of Tain.
Since 1834, the distillery has had to endure two closures. Now part of the LVMH (Möet/Hennessy/Luis Vuitton), Glenmorangie owns a six percent piece of the single malt market.
The Glenmorangie Distiller in Tain
Now, I may suggest the above notes with notes from Allan Holdsworth’s Glenmorangie-inspired album: ‘The Sixteen Men Of Tain‘ while we explore the Five After Five Top Glenmorangie’s.
5.
Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
Tain, Scotland / 46.0% ABV
Yes, it spends time in American white oak casks; however, this expression also enjoys hanging out in Sauternes casks before bottling time.
4.
Glenmorangie Lasanta
Tain, Scotland / 46.0% ABV
Twelve years maturing in bourbon and sherry casks. Dr. Bill calls it “bottled sunset”.
3.
Glenmorangie 18 Years
Tain, Scotland / 43.0% ABV
This expression spends 15 years in American white oak casks with some of it spending 3 more years in Oloroso casks.
2.
Glenmorangie Signet
Tain, Scotland / 46.0% ABV
Made with chocolate barley only one week a year, this release features whiskies that are up to 40 years old.
1.
Glenmorangie Spios 2018
Tain, Scotland / 47.6% ABV
Aged in American white oak casks that held nothing but rye whiskey.
It’s a unicorn indeed.
Glenmorangie is home to 12 “giraffes”: 6 wash and six spirit stills:
However, given that the non-spirited actual giraffe population has declined by as much as thirty percent, Glenmorangie has teamed up the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to help save these magnificent animals.
Oh, and just an FYI: a bunch of them hanging out together is called a tower of giraffes.
Cheers.
Renaud Timson resides in Ottawa, Canada and likes to refer to himself as a “whisky enjoyist”. He is a certified Whisky Ambassador, accredited by the Scottish Whisky Association and his wallet has membership cards to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Canada, Ontario Whisky Quarterly and The Ottawa Whisky Guild.
On the non-whisky side, he’s a dad of six adult kids: three with two legs and three with four legs. He has some whiskies that are older than his kids.
He can be reached at renaudtimson@gmail.com.
