Glenmorangie

The Glenmorangie distillery was established in 1843, on the Durnoch Firth by brothers William and John Mathesen. The site originally held a farm distillery under the name Morangie. There is evidence that distillation was carried out at this site during the early 18th century. Production began in November of 1849. During the latter part of the 19th century Glenmorangie began overseas exportation and destinations included Europe and the United States.

Such was the dependence on foreign trade that the distillery closed in 1931 following the enactment of US Prohibition and the Great Depression. The distillery remained closed until November of 1936. Macdonald and Muir Ltd, who purchased the company over the early part of the 19th century, put Glenmorangie Plc up for sale. Glenmorangie Plc included the distilleries Ardbeg, Glen Moray and Glenmorangie and, after frenzied bidding, the group was acquired by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey for £300 million.

To some extent, Glenmorangie were pioneers in the field of wood finishes. Delectable examples include the Sauternes-finished Nectar D'Or and the Côte De Beaune-finished twelve year-old. 2008 saw a rather unusual release; Glenmorangie's Signet. Signet is a single malt whisky distilled from chocolate malt and has a delightful flavour. The range is large and features a number of finished whiskies as well as the more traditional core expressions.

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About Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery

Distillery Number

01862 892477

Distillery Founded

1843

Distillery Capacity

4 000 000 litres

Distillery Status

Active

Distillery Address

Tain, Ross-Shire

Distillery Owner

The Glenmorangie Co

Distillery Website

www.glenmorangie.com

1843

William Mathesen, formerly part-owner of Balblair Distillery, and brother John apply for a license for a farm distillery called Morangie, which is rebuilt by them. Production took place here in 1738, and possibly since 1703.

1849

Production starts in November.

1880

Exports to foreign destinations such as Rome and San Francisco commence.

1887

The distillery is rebuilt and Glenmorangie Distillery Company Ltd is formed.

1918

40% of the distillery is sold to GDCL´s largest customer, Macdonald & Muir Ltd and 60 % to the whisky dealer Durham. Macdonald & Muir takes over Durham’s share by the late thirties.

1931

The distillery closes due to the depression and prohibition in the US.

1936

Production restarts in November.

1980

Number of stills increases from two to four and own maltings ceases.

1990

The number of stills is doubled to eight.

1994

A visitor centre opens. September sees the launch of Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish which marks the start of a number of different wood finishes.

1995

Glenmorangie´s Tain l´Hermitage (Rhone wine) is launched

1996

Two different wood finishes are launched, Madeira and Sherry. Glenmorangie plc is formed.

1997

A museum opens.

2001

A limited edition of a cask strength port wood finish is released in July, Cote de Beaune Wood Finish is launched in September and Three Cask (ex-Bourbon, charred oak and ex-Rioja) is launched in October for Sainsbury’s.

2002

A Sauternes finish, a 20 year Glenmorangie with two and a half years in Sauternes casks, is launched.

2003

Burgundy Wood Finish is launched in July and a limited edition of cask strength Madeira-matured (i. e. not just finished) in August.

2004

Glenmorangie buys the Scotch Malt Whisky Society which has 27,000 members worldwide. The Macdonald family decides to sell Glenmorangie plc (including the distilleries Glenmorangie, Glen Moray and Ardbeg). Bidding is frantic and the buyer is Moët Hennessy (owned by Diageo and LVMH) at

2005

A 30 year old is launched.

2007

The entire range gets a complete makeover with 15 and 30 year olds being discontinued and the rest are given new names as well as new packaging.

2008

An expansion of production capacity is started. Astar and Signet are launched.

Reproduced from the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2009 with the kind permission of Mr Ingvar Ronde