A very interesting whisky from Glenmorangie, its first made with barley kilned with botanicals. Inspired by the woodlands near Glenmorangie’s director of whisky creation Dr Bill Lumsden’s home, he decided to make a dram that would evoke the scents, sounds, and sights of the forest.
Kilning barley with botanicals used to be a common practice and Glenmorangie revived it here after a series of experiments. Juniper berries, birch bark, and heather flowers, as well as a little peat were used to kiln the barley to create a Glenmorangie “as lush and leafy as the forest itself”, in Dr. Lumsden’s words. In order to allow the spirit’s flavours to shine, he aged the whisky in bourbon casks including many refill casks.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Nose Forest floor notes lead the way with oily pine and juniper, nutty malt, and woody spice, with murmurs of smoke in the distance.
Palate An array of zesty menthol and orange peels, hints of hibiscus, and vanilla pod with a backdrop of fennel, anise, and smoked toffee.
Finish Candied citrus fruits finish things off, with more pine and robust barley tangling with delicate oak char.