Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Glenmorangie 18 Year Old is a single malt scotch whisky from the Highlands region of Scotland. It is part of the Prestige range from the Glenmorangie Distillery, and has consistently been one of their best performing single malts at whisky tasting competitions and awards.
Unlike the core range at Glenmorangie, formed by ‘The Original’, a 10 year old expression, and other 12 Year Old expressions finished in a variety of barrels, the 18 Year Old is matured separately.
History of Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky
The Glenmorangie Distillery was founded by William Matheson in 1843, although some estimates claim the presence of a brewery at the site dating back to the 1700s. The distillery is situated in the Tain, Ross-Shire, and is renowned in Scotland for having the tallest stills in the country.
These stills help determine the distinct character of the Glenmorangie single malt. Another important part of the Glenmorangie legacy are ‘The Sixteen Men of Tain’, the staff of 16 men that worked at the distillery all year round in the old days. These men have occupied an almost mythical association with the Glenmorangie brand. The company retained the premise as a marketing vehicle even after expansion of the distillery, choosing the name ‘The Men of Tain’ instead.
William Matheson remained the proprietor of the Glenmorangie Distillery for many years, before ownership came into the hands of their customers, Macdonald and Muir in 1918. Ownership of the distillery remained with the Macdonald family for many years before an acquisition from Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. LVMH is a French multinational conglomerate with business interests spread across many luxury segments.
The entire Glenmorangie line of single malts were redesigned, and rebranded following the acquisition. The curvaceous new bottles were introduced, along with a new naming system adopted by the new owners. Names such as La Santa, Quinta Ruban and Nectar d’Or were chosen to give Glenmorangie more universal appeal, and a luxurious new personality.
The Glenmorangie single malt commands a modest, yet loyal share of the global single malt market which is dominated by a trio of Speyside single malt giants – The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Macallan.
Making Process of Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Whisky
The Glenmorangie 18 Year Old is matured for 15 years in white American Oak barrels. After 15 years of maturation, up to 30% of the spirit is transferred to Oloroso Sherry barrels for further maturation. Both parts of the spirit are simultaneously allowed to mature for a further 3 years, after which they are married carefully to create the Glenmorangie 18 Year Old.
Glenmorangie are owners of their own patch of forest in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, United States. The company produces their own Oak barrels from trees in their forest, leaving them to air dry for nearly two years.
Glenmorangie then lends these new Oak barrels to Jack Daniels, and Heaven Hill in the United States to mature their spirit. These barrels are then taken back, transported to Scotland for Glenmorangie to use to mature their own single malt.
Alcohol Percentage in Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Whisky
The Glenmorangie 18 Year Old single malt carries an alcohol strength of 43% ABV, slightly higher than the standard limit for Scotch whiskies.
Awards
Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge in 2018
Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2018
Silver Medal at the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition in 2018
Second Place at the International Whisky Competition in the Best Single Malt Scotch – 18YO category in 2018
First Place at the International Whisky Competition in the Best Single Malt Scotch – 18YO category in 2017
Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in 2017
Gold Medal at the International Spirits Challenge in 2017
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Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh, and aromatic. Floral notes full of citrus, sweet caramel and boiled sweets
Finish
The finish is sweet, drying and very long.
Palate
Full-bodied, and very rich. Creamy, with fruity flavours bursting in the mouth. Dried fruits, sweet honey and floral whispers complete a remarkably pleasant experience