GLENMORANGIE OPENS NEW INNOVATION LED DISTILLERY

Glenmorangie, has today announced the opening of its new innovation led Lighthouse Distillery.

Located within the grounds of Glenmorangie’s Highland home, the new multi-million-pound Lighthouse Distillery, promises to redefine every aspect of their craft to create game-changing, spirit-led whiskies, by offering unique flexibility with ingredients and processes.

Glenmorangie opens new innovation led distillery

The Lighthouse Distillery, which has been named for its landmark approach to whisky, is equipped with two giraffe-high stills, which have been modified to allow them to alter spirit character by acting as if they were shorter – or even taller. 

The distillery also includes a new Brewhouse, which has been constructed in the traditional style of the main distillery, and has the scope for a myriad of experiments with barley, water and yeast during mashing and brewing.

Glenmorangie has been pushing single malt boundaries for decades. From pioneering wood finishing to Glenmorangie Signet unparalleled mocha flavours, and their ground-breaking Private Edition series.

Commenting on the news, Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Whisky Creation at The Glenmorangie, said: “Our Lighthouse is the new home of imagination. Here, we’ll indulge our most fantastical ideas as we strive to create a whole array of different flavours. We will play with raw ingredients and make small adjustments and big changes in ways never tried before. Nothing is off limits, as long as it’s delicious.”

To mark the opening of its new Lighthouse Distillery, Glenmorangie has launched a new limited-edition expression; Glenmorangie Lighthouse (RRP: £85.00) A 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky, matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks. Limited to 3,000 bottles.

Posted by Steve Rush

HOUSE OF SUNTORY ANNOUNCES INTERNATIONAL RELEASE OF YAMAZAKI 55 YEAR OLD

Following an initial release of 100 bottles in Japan last year, the House of Suntory has today announced the international release of its oldest expression to date.

Yamazaki 55 Year Old (46% ABV) is a single malt Japanese whisky, comprised of malts distilled in 1960, under the supervision of Suntory’s founder Shinjiro Torii, which was initially matured in Mizunara casks. Then in 1964, under Suntory’s second Master Blender Keizo Saji’s tenure, the whisky was transferred into White Oak casks.

Yamazaki 55 Year Old

Suntory’s Fifth-Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo worked closely with Third-Generation Master Blender Shingo Torii, in deploying their signature art of blending to properly reveal the exceptional depth and complexity of the Yamazaki 55 Year Old.

This latest release, which celebrates the Japanese “Showa” era of the 1960s that represented a major period of change for the House of Suntory, is said to deliver notes of sandal wood and well-ripened fruit on the nose, followed by a slightly bitter and woody palate.

To honour its ongoing commitment to give back to society, Beam Suntory, the owners of the House of Suntory, will donate $5,000 for every bottle released in this year’s 100-bottle collection, totaling $500,000, to the White Oak Initiative, a group committed to the long-term sustainability of America’s white oak forests.

Commenting on the launch, Shinji Fukuyo, Suntory’s Fifth-Generation Chief Blender, said: “Throughout the process of blending Yamazaki 55, I used as inspiration the passage of time and ‘Wabi-sabi’ – the Japanese belief that imperfections can help to ultimately contribute to perfection. While I often view other extra aged whiskies as art, I consider Yamazaki 55 to be more like a Buddhist statue: calm and mysterious, requiring time to truly enjoy the inner beauty.”

Yamazaki 55 Year Old, will be available later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of $60,000.

Posted by Steve Rush

TAMDHU LAUNCHES NEW CIGAR MALT

Ian Macleod Distillers, has announced the launch of a new limited-edition bottling, from its Speyside based Tamdhu Distillery.

Tamdhu Cigar Malt No. 01 (53.8% ABV) which has been created to celebrate the age-old pairing of whisky and cigars, has been produced using a small handpicked selection of first fill European oak Oloroso sherry casks.

Tamdhu Cigar Malt No. 01

Tamdhu Cigar Malt No. 01, is said to deliver notes of ginger nut biscuits, sweet sherry, caramel and crème brulee on the nose. Followed by notes of sultanas, dried raisins, sticky malt loaf and vanilla on the palate.

In addition to the new bottling, Tamdhu in partnership with renowned wood maker and silversmiths, Anthony Holt & Sons, have also created two bespoke luxury cigar humidors, made using wood from first fill European oak sherry casks. One of the humidors will be auctioned for charity in 2022.

Commenting on the launch, Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager, said: “While whisky and cigars have long been enjoyed together, we wanted our Tamdhu Cigar Malt to cement that bond with a marriage of flavour and craft befitting of the two worlds. This whisky, exclusively matured in first fill European Oak Oloroso sherry casks, provides the perfect accompaniment to the finest cigars. That we were able to use those sherry casks to continue the legacy of the Cigar Malt through the humidor is very special indeed.”

Tamdhu Cigar Malt No. 01, is now available from the distillery’s online shop and later this month from specialist retailers, for a RRP of £180.00.

Posted by Steve Rush