The latest new expression from Glenmorangie is A Tale of the Forest Scotch, a whisky made from barley kilned with woodland botanicals.
These include juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers, along with a little peat.
The idea for this special release came from Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie Director of Whisky Creation, enjoying the woods around his home.
“Every time I go into the woods where I live, I notice something new, be it the fragrance of last night’s rainfall or the sound of leaves rustling a particular way,” Lumsden says. “I began to imagine how we could bring the forest to life in a whisky, by kilning barley with materials from woodland, the way our ancestors did.”
“After many experiments, we decided on juniper, birch bark and heather, which would traditionally have been used in the kilning process, to create a Glenmorangie as lush and leafy as the forest itself,” he continues. “With aromas of pine needles, woodland moss, juniper’s sharpness and tastes of eucalyptus, mint, bitter orange and distant smoke, A Tale of the Forest is a whisky to surround, delight and surprise you, whether you enjoy it deep in a forest or in cocktails at home.”
Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is bottled at 46% ABV.
On the nose is sweet malt, biscuit, and creaminess with a botanical edge, like juniper or coriander, the company says. A splash of water releases herbal and perfumed top notes, such as juniper, coriander, damp woodland, pine needles, nettle and mint. The palate brings a peppery, effervescent mouthfeel before peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus, pine, wood sap, angelica, bitter orange and a hint of aromatic wood smoke. The taste continues with a bitter-sweet oak tannin, along with oily vanilla and hints of aniseed.
The finish is citrus notes such as orange and lemon, and oak.
Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest has a suggested retail price of $102.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
On the bottle is imagery by Thai illustrator Pomme Chan, who took inspiration from the forests of northern Thailand.
“To me, a forest is all about the senses: the fragrance, as well as what you see and hear,” says Chan. “Through my illustration, I wanted to convey the mysterious depth of the forest, as well as the botanicals and flavors you can find in the whisky: heather, juniper, orange mint . . . I hope the pack draws people in and invites them to imagine themselves enjoying Glenmorangie A Tale of Forest on a hike or a picnic . . . in a forest, of course!”
This follows news of the brand revealing new packaging for its core range.
