Dining

Glenmorangie gets spicy with latest limited-edition whisky finished in four different cask types

Glenmorangie Tale of Spices bottle

Glenmorangie has unveiled A Tale of Spices, the sixth release in its award-winning ‘A Tale Of…’ series. The limited-edition single malt draws inspiration from the colours, aromas and flavours of the world’s great spice markets.

This release is notable not only for its theme, but also for its production. For the first time at Glenmorangie, whisky aged in ex-bourbon casks has been finished across four distinct cask types: Moroccan red wine, Pedro Ximénez sherry, new charred oak, and shaved, toasted red wine. 

This release is notable not only for its theme, but also for its production…

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation, has sought to recreate the atmosphere of spice markets – their vibrant hues, perfumed stalls and endless variety. That fled to  experimentation with Moroccan red wine casks, which revealed a fragrant, spiced character quite unlike anything in Glenmorangie’s portfolio.

Building on that discovery, he and Master Blender Gillian Macdonald developed an unusual cask recipe that layered red wine notes with the sweetness of PX sherry, the warmth of charred oak, and the nuance of shaved, re-toasted barrels. 

The result is a whisky intended to evoke the sensation of wandering through pyramids of saffron, nutmeg, ginger and rose petals.

Bottled at 46% ABV, official tasting notes report perfumed spice on the nose, with rose, carnation, jasmine and lilac, joined by cumin, saffron, nutmeg, ginger, chilli and anise.

On the palate expect a lively burst of ginger, black pepper and mustard, offset by sweet mint toffee, demerara sugar and sugared almond.

Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices is available from glenmorangie.com, the Distillery Visitor Centre in Tain, and The Whisky Exchange, priced at £76.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK