Glenmorangie - The Original

Sometimes a dram doesn't have to be brilliant to be enjoyed, for me whisky is all about memories - what you are tasting brings back memories of things you've smelt or tasted before, places or people you were drinking with or in this case people who aren't here anymore.

My dad was an uncomplicated bloke and he liked uncomplicated whisky - I tried to turn him with fancy finishing and cask strength offerings but whenever I visited he'd always offer me a Glenmorangie Original - uncomplicated but enjoyable.

Glenmorangie distillery was built in 1843 by farmer William Matheson and his wife Anne, converting an existing brewery. It was bought by the Glenmorangie Distillery Co, co-owned by the Maitland brothers and Duncan Cameron in 1887 where the whisky was used in blends such as Highland Queen. A pair of stills from John Taylor’s gin distillery were bought in 1887, these featured unusually long-necks and have been the design for all future stills added to the distillery.

In 1959 it was launched as a Single Malt, one of the first to be actively marketed as such. Success led to two more stills being added in 1976 another four in 1990 and four more in 2009 along with a larger mash tun and extra washbacks.

Glenmorangie has been owned by Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH) since 2004.

Lightly peated (2PPM) malt is mashed in a 9.8 tonne full lauter mash tun and fills each of the sixteen 48,500 litre stainless steel washbacks for an average 52 hour fermentation.

Photo: whiskyforeveryone

Photo: Miss Whisky

The resulting wash is then distilled in some of the tallest stills in Scotland:

This year they completed the build of The Lighthouse an experimental 20-metre-high glass still house built on to the side of the existing distillery:

They say:

"Within its still house stand two of our signature copper stills, which enable Glenmorangie’s delicate, fruity spirit. As tall as a giraffe, they allow more space for taste and aroma. But these new stills have a host of modifications, making all kinds of innovation possible. And above the stillhouse is a purpose-built sensory laboratory, where Dr Bill can play with his experiments in the most unexpected ways. The technology is not revolutionary, but I can’t think of any other still house in the Scotch whisky industry where you have split condensers, copper and stainless steel, you’ve got a water-cooling jacket on the neck, you’ve got a purifier on the lyne arm; essentially, we can recreate any style of distillation that we want in that."

Let's try the Original, a 40% ABV ex-bourbon offering:

Distillery notes: First released more than 175 years ago by our founders, the original Glenmorangie 10 year old was known for its mellow tones and delicacy of flavour. All these years later, The Original remains at the heart of everything we do. Like home, we carry with us, no matter how far we travel. And every time we return, we discover something new. To give Original a delicious, go-anywhere finesse, we make it in our giraffe-high stills, then we age it 10 years in bourbon casks to absorb all manner of delectable flavours. The result is a smooth whisky which welcomes you with a rush of citrus, then holds your attention with layers of luscious flavour, from orange to honey and creamy vanilla, with bursts of peach. We are constantly embarking on new sensory journeys, yet we always come home to Original.

Tasting notes: 

Aroma: Citrus and ripening peaches are balanced by vanilla softness.

Taste : Vanilla emerges, then gives way to a burst of flowery fruitiness.

Finish:  A clean and salving aftertaste with hints of orange and peach.

 

My thoughts:

Appearance: Pale gold in the glass, swirls clings as a thin line which takes an age to bead up and fall as slow thin legs.

 

 

Nose: stewed orchard fruit - apples, pears, apricots, covered in warm honey and vanilla custard. a little time and air offers sharp citrus peel and a hint of toffee.

Palate: smooth sweet arrival, honey and orchard fruit from the nose and a gentle bite of peppery spice as the liquid disappears. Very warming, leaves a drying caramel note on the tongue and a little brown sugar.

Finish: lingering citrus and peppery spice.

Thoughts: Yours for around £36 with half bottles also readily available, chill filtered so lacking  little on the palate but has some lovely fruit notes and a spicy kick - a typical ex-bourbon Speysider you might say.

At the end of the day we all have our favourite whiskies, and most of them are linked to memories. Whilst not my favourite, Glenmorangie Original will always hold a special place in my heart and a space on my shelf.