Glenmorangie’s newest expression, Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo, is the distillery’s first release finished in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.
Inspiration for this innovation came from the brand’s whisky creator Dr. Bill Lumsden frequently traveling to Tokyo.
In the whisky’s flavor profile, pepper meets bitter cherries and coconut, the distillery reports, while orange zest blends with incense and sweet oak. On the finish are classic Glenmorangie flavors of mandarin, almond and marzipan.
Mizunara casks are typically difficult to source, and known for bringing a distinctive and unusual flavor to whisky. Lumsden balanced these bold flavors from the Japanese oak with Glenmorangie aged in both bourbon and sherry casks, the company says.
“I’m lucky to have travelled widely over the years sharing Glenmorangie around the world whilst also gathering new inspiration for whisky creations, and Tokyo has always been one of my favorite places,” says Lumsden. “I’m fascinated by the contradictions between its bustling streets and tranquil gardens, ancient and modern buildings, its many sensory experiences and its culture. My time there over the years made me wonder whether I could capture my experience of Tokyo, and these beautiful intricacies, in whisky form.”
“I partly matured a proportion of Glenmorangie spirit in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks, which I’ve been curious to experiment with for some time,” he adds. “The influence of this wood is incredibly complex and unusual; it required balance and softening with Glenmorangie matured in bourbon and sherry casks, and the result is a dram as full of delicious sensory contrasts as a trip to Tokyo.”
For the packaging, Glenmorangie collaborated with Japanese artist Yamaguchi Akira, who has created his own perspective of the city’s layers of history and culture.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo comes bottled at 92 proof. The suggested retail price is $109 per 750-ml. bottle.
This follows the recent release of Glenmorangie The Cadboll Estate 15 Year Old Scotch whisky.
