There’s one very good reason to visit the Glenmorangie boutique in Heathrow’s Terminal 2, and that’s to pick up your own engraved edition of its A Tale of Tokyo expression.
Inspired by Glenmorangie Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden’s love of the Japanese capital, this new limited edition release has been partly matured in Japanese Mizunara oak casks, gifting additional complexity and a peppery spice to the liquid.
Mizunara oak is known to be rather challenging to work with, as it’s not ideal for barrel making. Not only is it scarce, but it’s porous, so leakage tends to be a problem.
This limited edition expression has been partly matured in Japanese Mizunara oak casks…
In addition to its time in ex-Mizunara casks, the whisky has also been aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The result is an understated triumph.
On the nose, A Tale of Tokyo teases with vanilla pods and Shibuya spice; this gives way to caramelised sugar, ripe cherries and zesty orange on the palate, with a hint Furikake rice seasoning Delightfully smooth, it exits with a nutty, sweet chocolate wake.
The packaging is fitting. Designed by Japanese artist Akira Yamaguchi, it depicts Japanese landmarks and pastimes in Nishiki-e style – and hidden in the art are various Dr Bills for you to spot as you sip your dram.
This is the second of Glenmorangie’s ‘Tale of’ series, which began in 2020 with A Tale of Cake. More editions are in the pipeline.
Bottled at 46% ABV, A Tale of Tokyo is available from the Glenmorangie Heathrow boutique, but if you’re not flying anytime soon, it’s also available online from specialist whisky outlets, priced from £73.
Named The Wondrous Glenmorangie Boutique, the Heathrow T2 store is fitted out in oak and copper, all lit in characteristic orange. Inside there’s an expansive range of Glenmorangie’s signature whiskies, and a bar where you can enjoy a cocktail of two.
When I dropped by, I was enthusiastically told this is the only store of its kind in the world.
Alongside Glenmorangie’s regular travel retail range, you can pick up Glenmorangie Tuiga 25 Year Old (released for the Monaco Yacht Club in 2021), Glenmorangie 25 Years Old Pommard Cask Finish and Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 Year Old, finished in Chardonnay wine casks with only 1,000 bottles produced.
There are also rare and experimental Glenmorangie single malts to explore.
Our advice is plan your next flight from Heathrow accordingly!
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig has introduced its first permanent core single malt. Crafted in small batches, Torabhaig Taigh is matured in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon casks, with the addition of Madeira casks to round out the profile. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, with no chill filtration and no added colour.…
A new spirits house showcasing novel Asian ingredients and distilling traditions has launched with four core expressions spanning vodka, gin, whisky and rum. Founded by entrepreneur Michel Lu, The Orientalist Spirits positions itself as an ‘all-Asian’ portfolio, drawing on ingredients, techniques and flavour profiles sourced from across the continent. Lu, whose background spans fashion, music…
The Luxe Review 
There’s one very good reason to visit the Glenmorangie boutique in Heathrow’s Terminal 2, and that’s to pick up your own engraved edition of its A Tale of Tokyo expression.
Inspired by Glenmorangie Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden’s love of the Japanese capital, this new limited edition release has been partly matured in Japanese Mizunara oak casks, gifting additional complexity and a peppery spice to the liquid.
Mizunara oak is known to be rather challenging to work with, as it’s not ideal for barrel making. Not only is it scarce, but it’s porous, so leakage tends to be a problem.
In addition to its time in ex-Mizunara casks, the whisky has also been aged in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. The result is an understated triumph.
On the nose, A Tale of Tokyo teases with vanilla pods and Shibuya spice; this gives way to caramelised sugar, ripe cherries and zesty orange on the palate, with a hint Furikake rice seasoning Delightfully smooth, it exits with a nutty, sweet chocolate wake.
The packaging is fitting. Designed by Japanese artist Akira Yamaguchi, it depicts Japanese landmarks and pastimes in Nishiki-e style – and hidden in the art are various Dr Bills for you to spot as you sip your dram.
This is the second of Glenmorangie’s ‘Tale of’ series, which began in 2020 with A Tale of Cake. More editions are in the pipeline.
Bottled at 46% ABV, A Tale of Tokyo is available from the Glenmorangie Heathrow boutique, but if you’re not flying anytime soon, it’s also available online from specialist whisky outlets, priced from £73.
Named The Wondrous Glenmorangie Boutique, the Heathrow T2 store is fitted out in oak and copper, all lit in characteristic orange. Inside there’s an expansive range of Glenmorangie’s signature whiskies, and a bar where you can enjoy a cocktail of two.
When I dropped by, I was enthusiastically told this is the only store of its kind in the world.
Alongside Glenmorangie’s regular travel retail range, you can pick up Glenmorangie Tuiga 25 Year Old (released for the Monaco Yacht Club in 2021), Glenmorangie 25 Years Old Pommard Cask Finish and Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 Year Old, finished in Chardonnay wine casks with only 1,000 bottles produced.
There are also rare and experimental Glenmorangie single malts to explore.
Our advice is plan your next flight from Heathrow accordingly!
Triple-distilled Pineapple Bananza Irish single malt joins SMWS Heresy range
The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig unveils Taigh as first core single malt, brings poetry to peat whisky
Isle of Skye distillery Torabhaig has introduced its first permanent core single malt. Crafted in small batches, Torabhaig Taigh is matured in a combination of first-fill and refill bourbon casks, with the addition of Madeira casks to round out the profile. The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, with no chill filtration and no added colour.…
From Shangri-La to London bar, The Orientalist launches ‘slightly premium’ all-Asian spirits range
A new spirits house showcasing novel Asian ingredients and distilling traditions has launched with four core expressions spanning vodka, gin, whisky and rum. Founded by entrepreneur Michel Lu, The Orientalist Spirits positions itself as an ‘all-Asian’ portfolio, drawing on ingredients, techniques and flavour profiles sourced from across the continent. Lu, whose background spans fashion, music…
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