What is Glenmorangie? A thorough explanation of the types and delicious ways to drink them

Each region has its own brand of Scottish whiskey. Glenmorangie, which we will introduce this time, is a traditional brand representing the Highland region. From the distiller to the barrels to the brewing water, the brand is extremely particular about everything that comes into contact with its whisky, and is even referred to by whiskey fans as ``the perfect whisky.'' In this article, we will thoroughly delve into Glenmorangie.

[What you can learn from this article]

• Overview of Glenmorangie
• Types of Glenmorangie
• Recommended ways to drink Glenmorangie
• Recommended snacks from Glenmorangie

What is Glenmorangie?

There's a reason why Glenmorangie is so loved that it's called the perfect whisky. Careful manufacturing method. bottle type. Various ways to drink. Each of them has characteristics that set them apart from other brands. What kind of whiskey is Glenmorangie?

Characteristics of Glenmorangie

In November 2022, Glenmorangie has redesigned the packaging of its main products. The label is a visual representation of Glenmorangie's flavor.

The first thing you notice when you take a sip of the representative variety, ``Original 10 Years'', is the refreshing aroma of citrus fruits and acidity. The aftertaste is sweet and rich, reminiscent of vanilla-flavored milk. On the finish, the fresh scent of citrus leaves the nose again. The taste is characterized by its good balance and mellowness.

The secret lies in the tallest pot still in Scotland. The height is 5.14m. It seems to be the same as a grown giraffe. Because we use expensive pot stills, wasteful and heavy alcohol vapor remains in the pot stills during distillation, leaving only the flavor and aroma components in the whiskey. This is also one of Glenmorangie's commitments.

Glenmorangie history

Glenmorangie Distillery dates back to 1843. The tall pot still mentioned earlier is a distinctive item that has been used since the company's founding, but it was originally a second-hand item sold off by a distillery that was making gin.

It was after 1887 that exports to the world began in earnest, and Glenmorangie's name spread as it was sold not only throughout Europe but also to the United States.

After surviving two world wars and the risk of contamination of the surrounding environment, Glenmorangie continued to increase its reputation around the world.

Currently, it is in the process of carving out new history, not only as an authentic Scotch whisky, but also as a familiar whiskey that can be drunk in a variety of ways.

Glenmorangie recipe

Glenmorangie's manufacturing method has many other features besides pot still. The barrels in which the unprocessed sake is aged are carefully selected from white oak wood. Once completed, the barrels were used to age bourbon whisky, and then used to age Glenmorangie. The number of times a barrel can be used is limited to two, whereas other manufacturers use it three or more times.

This results in a smooth taste with the same fresh citrus aroma as ``Original 10 Year Old'' and ``18 Year Old.'' The water used is spring water from a private property. For more than 100 years, the use of perfumes rich in minerals gives the whiskey its highly prized depth of flavor.

Glenmorangie reviews

Glenmorangie has received high praise from all over the world. For example, “Original 10 Years Old” won the gold medal at the WWA (World Whiskey Awards) held in 2022. In 2021, we won the Silver Award at the ISC (International Spirits Challenge) and IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition).

“18 Years” won the Silver Award at WWA in 2022. Won gold medal at ISC and IWC (International Whiskey Competition) in 2021. Other types of labels have also won numerous awards.

Glenmorangie also has a high reputation for its whisky-makers. The distillery's chief executive, Dr. Bill Ramsden, is also a doctor of biochemistry, and has achieved the feat of being named Master Distiller of the Year nine times in total, having won awards in various competitions.

[By label] Types and prices of Glenmorangie

As of March 2023, there are a total of seven types of labels available on the Glenmorangie official website. This time, we will introduce the overview and brands of 8 types, including 1 type.

glenmorangie original 10 years

Source: Glenmorangie official website

The most standard type of Glenmorangie label is ``Glenmorangie Original 10 Years''. The term 10 years is often abbreviated to "original," but since the age is listed on the label, you can be sure that this is a 10-year aged whisky.

The flavor is characterized by a refreshing citrus scent. The aroma and sweetness of cacao, which is occasionally mixed in, becomes a nice accent and enhances the refreshing aftertaste. It has received high praise from all over the world, and has won gold and silver awards at various competitions. The list price is said to be 5,280 yen, but most stores sell it a little cheaper than that. It's cheap for a 10-year aged whisky, so it's especially recommended for people who are thinking of trying Glenmorangie.

glenmorangie signet

Source: Glenmorangie official website[/caption]

Glenmorangie Signet is the type that is attracting a lot of attention in Glenmorangie's current lineup. The most distinctive feature is that it is the world's first whiskey to use chocolate malt, which is barley malt that has been roasted to a chocolate color. Perhaps because of this, the label design has a mature look.

Although the aroma has a strong bitter chocolate flavor, the citrus taste of Glenmorangie is still intact. The two blend together, leading to a refreshing aftertaste. It has an impressive history of receiving awards from around the world, and has won numerous gold awards at ISC and WWA.

The list price is set at 19,800 yen, and as of March 2023, there are not many listings for prices higher than this, and cases of items being sold for as low as 1,000 or 2,000 yen are noticeable.

Glenmorangie Nectar Doll 12 years

Source: Glenmorangie official website[/caption]

``Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or 12 Years Old'' is a whiskey aged in barrels used for noble rot wines of the Sauternes type. Nowadays, it is also sold under the name "Nectar d'Or Sauternes Cask."

Noble rot wine itself is a wine that uses an extremely luxurious manufacturing method, and the label of this Nectar d'Or has a somewhat luxurious appearance. The flavor of lemon tart can be compared as a characteristic of aroma and taste. The nutty taste that opens on the tongue and the slight spiciness that can be felt in the aftertaste can be said to be the result of noble rot wine.

It also won gold and silver awards at ISC and other awards. It has received high praise all over the world. The list price is thought to be around 7,260 yen, and the price is about the same on each e-commerce site.

Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 years

Source: Glenmorangie official website[/caption]

``Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years Old'' is a whiskey aged in barrels used for two types of sherry, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez. It is now sold under the name ``La Santa 12 Year Sherry Cask Finish.''

Along with the original, the label has been renewed in November 2022, giving you a stronger and richer sherry flavor than before. Like a sherry cask whiskey, it has a characteristic sweet aroma reminiscent of raisins and nuts. Even after the sweet, sour, and spicy notes appear on your tongue, the chocolate flavor remains at the core of the taste.

It has also won gold and silver awards at ISC and IWSC. It has received high praise from all over the world. The list price is thought to be around 6,000 yen, but the market price on various e-commerce sites is cheaper, around 5,400 yen.

X by Glenmorangie (Glenmorangie X)

Source: Glenmorangie official website[/caption]

``X by Glenmorangie'' is unique in its concept of proposing a new way to enjoy single malt whisky. This product deviates slightly from the standard way of drinking single malt whisky, such as twisting up or straight, and suggests different ways of drinking it, such as highballs and cocktails.

The "X" has the meaning of mix, unknown, and combination, and the label is also designed with the "X" in the product name. Although it has a short history as a brand, it has received praise as a standalone whiskey, winning a gold medal at the 2021 ISC and a silver award at the IWSC. The list price is said to be 4,650 yen, but it seems that you can get it for several hundred yen cheaper at various stores.

Glenmorangie Quintalban 14 Year Ruby Port Cask

Source: Glenmorangie official website[/caption]

``Glenmorangie Quintalban 14 Years Old Ruby Port Cask'' is a whiskey made using barrels in which ruby ​​port, a type of port wine, was aged. After aging in bourbon barrels, additional aging is performed, so you can feel the citrus aroma of Glenmorangie and the bitter and fruity aroma typical of red wine.

Like the original and Lasanta, the label will be renewed in November 2022. It is characterized by the profoundness of port wine, expressing a more mature and adult taste. It has received high praise from all over the world, winning gold awards at ISC and IWC for two years in a row. The list price is said to be around 7,800 yen, but the average price on each e-commerce site is around 1,000 yen cheaper.

Glenmorangie 18 years

Source: Glenmorangie official website[/caption]

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old is ranked at the top of the Glenmorangie varieties. In the current lineup, with the exception of Signet, it can be said that it is Glenmorangie's flagship label. The flavor is dominated by sweetness and richness, with Glenmorangie's characteristic citrus aroma overshadowed.

The sweetness and dry nutty flavor that lasts from beginning to end is reminiscent of long-aged whiskey. It can be said that the taste has matured over time since the original introduced at the beginning. It has received high praise from all over the world, and has won numerous gold and silver awards at various competitions. The list price is said to be around 10,000 yen, but most stores sell it for about 1,000 yen more than that.

Glenmorangie 19 years

Source: Amazon[/caption]

Although it is not included in the current domestic lineup, "Glenmorangie 19 Years" is ranked higher than "Glenmorangie 18 Years". This is a product for duty-free shops, and the only way to obtain it domestically is to obtain a parallel import product. The label looks similar to 18 Year Old, but the age number is different.

Although there are many unknowns regarding external evaluations such as award history, the reputation for soft, smooth, and complex taste suggests that Glenmorangie's whiskey has reached the height of its taste. I don't know for sure about the list price, but the price of items distributed in Japan seems to be around 15,000 yen.

Recommended ways to drink Glenmorangie

Glenmorangie is characterized by its overall delicate aroma and rich flavor, so we recommend drinking it in a way that allows you to fully experience it. Basically, it will be straight or twisted up.

If you want to enjoy a change in taste, rock is also an option. Young labels such as Original 10 Year Old and X have a refreshing flavor, so we recommend drinking them in a refreshing way like a highball.

Cocktail recipes using Original and X are published on the official website, and you can enjoy ways to drink it outside of the traditional single malt whiskey framework, such as mixing it with tonic water or using it as a base for cocktails.

Snacks that go well with Glenmorangie

As for snacks, recommendations vary depending on how you drink it and the label. For example, Original, X, and cocktails using them can be paired with any food.

While it can be enjoyed as a drink with meals, it also goes well with dishes that have a strong flavor. If it's something that reminds you of the flavor of wine, like nectar d'or or lasanta, then a small food like nuts that doesn't interfere with the aroma will go well with it.

If you're looking for a brand with a strong flavor like Signet, we recommend a snack with a heavy flavor that can absorb the flavor of the whiskey, like bitter chocolate.

summary

Glenmorangie is one of the easiest Scotch single malt whiskies to start drinking. Not only are labels with a variety of flavors available, but standard products can also be enjoyed in cocktails and highballs.

Each label has a slightly different scent, so it's a great way to enjoy comparing drinks. There are no products whose prices are significantly higher than the list price, so why not give them a try as an introduction to single malt whisky?