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!
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
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!
Mexican spirits culture celebrated as Tequila & Mezcal Show returns to London
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
Kingsbarns Distillery launches limited edition single malt inspired by St Andrews 19th hole
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Hackstons acquires rare collection of Unicorn whiskies from Van Winkle, Weller and Buffalo Trace
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
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