Caspar MacRae has been promoted to Director of Marketing and Business Development at Glenmorangie. In his new role, Caspar will oversee the commercially focused department with end-to-end responsibility for stewarding The Glenmorangie Company’s brands as well as driving key markets and sales. He was formerly Head of Marketing and Communications with the company.
Ellie-Goss Glenmorangie
Meanwhile, Ellie Goss takes up a newly created role on the Executive team, as Director of Corporate Affairs and Hospitality. Ellie, who joined the Company in 2014 as Head of Communications, will be responsible for ensuring that the Ardbeg and Glenmorangie Distilleries continue to be recognised as industry-leading visitor attractions, drawing thousands of tourists to their Highland and island homes.
Ellie will also oversee the Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Company’s pioneering CSR initiatives. She will take the lead on internal communications, as well as maintaining the Company’s reputation in Scotland and continuing her role as chair of the Scotch Whisky Association’s Communication working group.
Thomas Moradpour, President and CEO at The Glenmorangie Company, said, “Caspar and Ellie contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience, having both worked within our brands and business for a period already. They have demonstrated their agility in meeting our changing business needs, and I have full confidence that they will continue to add great value as we drive our business forward and look to enter a new phase of growth.”
Glenmorangie has formed an innovative collaboration with bicycle pioneer Renovo, to create limited edition bicycles made from the whisky’s casks. The Highland distillery has brought new life to their staves by creating the world’s first bicycles made from whisky casks. The company ships casks that have been utilised at the distillery to Renovo’s workshop in Oregon, USA, who then craft Glenmorangie Original bicycles. Each contains 15 staves in a frame which reflects the curvature of the casks. Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation, said, “This pioneering collaboration with Renovo brings new life to the casks which inspire our whisky. Each one of these limited-edition bicycles is a fitting celebration of our expertise in wood and shared passion for creativity.”
A ground-breaking environmental project pioneered by Glenmorangie has seen Native European oysters reintroduced to coastal waters around its Highland home after a century’s absence. The news comes as the Glenmorangie officially opened its €6million anaerobic digestion plant at its Distillery in the Highlands. The plant is expected to purify up to 95% of the waste water that the Distillery releases into the Dornoch Firth with the remaining 5% of the organic waste naturally cleaned by the oysters.
The move underlines the Distillery’s commitment to a ‘susTAINable’ future, and saw the brand forged an ambitious partnership in 2014 with Heriot-Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society known as the Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP)to restore long-lost oyster reefs to the Firth.
Hamish Torrie, director of corporate social responsibility, The Glenmorangie Company, said, “This restoration of oyster reefs in the Dornoch Firth, which is an internationally recognised special area of conservation, will help us realise our long term vision of a Distillery in complete harmony with its natural surroundings.”
The most prestigious Highland single malt ever created by Glenmorangie has been revealed. Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the Distillery’s oldest and rarest whisky. The company say it is the “the most prized expression yet, in the illustrious Glenmorangie Pride series.”
Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the third limited-edition release in the Glenmorangie Pride collection, which showcases the Distillery’s most rare and treasured malts. Designed for connoisseurs, with just 503 crystal decanters available, Glenmorangie Pride 1974 exhibits a salty and spicy character, intensified with age as never before.
Glenmorangie Pride 1974 embodies the Distillery’s tradition of creativity and craftsmanship – values shared by the acclaimed piano maker Steinway & Sons. As part of a creative partnership to celebrate the whisky’s artistry, Steinway Artist Aaron Diehl has composed a piece of music which embodies the whisky’s rare beauty. Diehl found inspiration at the Distillery where Glenmorangie’s exceptional whisky has been crafted since 1843. His composition echoes the creative spirit of Glenmorangie Pride 1974, drawing on its depth of character and its long maturation, nurtured by the Men of Tain. Diehl, a world-renowned pianist, has premiered his work alongside the whisky at New York Steinway Hall on March 23, 2017.
Glenmorangie has released Bacalta, a limited edition Madeira cask finish that has been described by its creator as “a burst of sunshine in a glass”.
Scots Gaelic for ‘baked’, Bacalta is the first Glenmorangie expression finished entirely in sun-baked Malmsey Madeira casks. It joins Glenmorangie’s Private Edition range.
It is matured in toasted American oak casks which have been seasoned with Malmsey, a sweet Madeira wine, and sun-dried.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks, said the Madeira cask finish creates complex layers of sweetness.
He said, “For years I had longed to create the best Madeira-finished whisky possible. Realising that ambition took time and dedication, as every step of extra-maturation was tailored exactly to our specifications.
“Connoisseurs will recognise the radiating warmth of our bespoke sun-baked casks in Glenmorangie Bacalta’s aromas of ripe apricots, white chocolate and mineral notes.
“Glenmorangie Bacalta is a burst of sunshine in a glass.”
Bottled at 46% ABV, and non-chill filtered, Glenmorangie Bacalta is available from specialist whisky shops priced £79.
Glenmorangie has unveiled a new vintage collection called Bond House No. 1, which explores the origins of Glenmorangie’s most prestigious reserves of aged whisky.
The collection takes its name from Glenmorangie’s largest warehouse, Warehouse No. 1 which was once home to the distillery’s casks of maturing spirit. It explores the individuality each year has lent to Glenmorangie.
The first expression in the series, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990, marks an important year from the distillery as this was when Warehouse No. 1 was transformed into a majestic new still house, still used today.
Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 is bottled at 43% ABV and is available from selected whisky specialist retailers priced £495.
A new diploma in single malt whisky is set to launch in Edinburgh next week.
Starting 20 September, the two-day, SQA accredited course will be the first qualification delivered by the newly established Edinburgh Whisky Academy.
Billed as the first recognised, independent knowledge-based short course in the whisky industry, it will focus on all aspects of Scotch whisky history and production.
Edinburgh Whisky Academy Founder and Managing Director, Kirsty McKerrow, said the “in-depth” course is designed to “provide a true and factual grounding for whisky knowledge.”
The former Nordic Brand Ambassador for Möet Hennessy’s whiskies, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, added, “Until now, there was no recognised independent knowledge-based short course in the whisky industry.
“Of great importance is that the knowledge gained is totally impartial and neutral from any distillery or brand.”
The diploma will be led by Vic Cameron, and was devised by whisky experts including Cameron, Dominic Roskrow, Gavin D Smith and Pete Robson.
Further diplomas in the Art of Tasting Whisky and Blended Whiskies are planned for early 2017.
The Dornoch Whisky Festival is back next month to celebrate the area as a key whisky hub in Scotland.
Organised by local distilleries, the festival builds on the success of its first-ever event last year, with an expanded programme running from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 October.
Among the numerous whisky-based activities on offer, such as tastings and distillery tours, a highlight will be a screening of Whisky Galore in Balblair distillery. It will be introduced by whisky writer and taster Charles Maclean, who also starred in the film.
There will also be a grand gala tasting at the Dornoch Castle Hotel, followed by a Ceilidh and BBQ.
The event is run through a collaboration of Dornoch distilleries Glenmorangie, Balblair, The Dalmore, Glen Ord, Clynelish and Old Pulteney and local venues including Dornoch Castle Hotel.
Lucy Williams, Marketing Development Officer with Visit Dornoch, said, “We’re very excited to see the event return for a second year and hope this will be the start of something big for Dornoch.
“Dornach is a true whisky hub, home to many top Scottish distilleries, and the festival is a great opportunity to discover all six in one go.
“The programme is designed to make sure there’s something for everyone and a great excuse to discover some new whiskies, as well as everything else Dornoch has to offer.”
Glenmorangie and Ardbeg have swept the boards at three influential whisky competitions: the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), the International Spirits Competition (ISC) and the International Whisky Competition (IWC).
Glenmorangie won a total of eight gold medals for its expressions Original, Nectar D’Or, Lasanta, its 18 year old and 25 year old at the SFWSC. It also won gold for the 18 and 25 year old at the ISC, as was its Private Edition, Milsean.
Ardbeg won gold medals for its Corryvreckan and Uigeadail at the SFWSC and an ISC gold for its limited-edition release Dark Cove.
At the IWC, Glenmorangie Signet was named Whisky of the Year, scoring 97 points out of a possible 100. Signet is the first whisky to be created from high-roasted “chocolate” malt barley.
Dr Bill Lumsden won IWC’s Master Distiller of the Year, in recognition of Glenmorangie Signet’s achievement.
Glenmorangie and Ardbeg have swept the boards at three influential whisky competitions: the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), the International Spirits Competition (ISC) and the International Whisky Competition (IWC).
Glenmorangie Original, Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or, Glenmorangie Lasanta and Glenmorangie 25 Years Old all won gold. Glenmorangie 18 Years Old was lauded with a double gold medal.
At the ISC, Glenmorangie 25 Years Old and Glenmorangie 18 Years Old were again singled out for gold medals, alongside the distillery’s latest Private Edition, Glenmorangie Milsean – the first Glenmorangie expression ever to be extra-matured in deeply toasted wine casks.
At the IWC, Glenmorangie Signet scored higher against 15 criteria than any of the other 160 whiskies judged in a blind tasting by ten experts, scooping the Whisky of the Year title. Glenmorangie Signet is the first whisky to be created from high-roasted “chocolate” malt barley.
The awards mark Glenmorangie as the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s most-awarded single malt Scotch, having won more ‘best in class’ and ‘gold outstanding’ awards than any of its key competitors. Ardbeg is the only single malt to win World Whisky of the Year four times in the last six years.
Dr Bill Lumsden, who oversees the creation of Glenmorangie single malt at its Scottish Highland home, won the competition’s Master Distiller of the Year award, in recognition of Glenmorangie Signet’s achievement.
Glenmorangie Milsean is the latest release in Glenmorangie’s Private Edition. It is the first Glenmorangie expression to be extra-matured in heavily toasted Portuguese red wine casks. Milsean (Scots Gaelic for ‘sweet things’) and is also the seventh release in the Private Edition collection.
Created from Glenmorangie first matured in ex-bourbon oak casks, Glenmorangie Milsean then spent a number of years in casks which had contained Portuguese red wine.
Dr Bill Lumsden said, “A glass of Glenmorangie Milsean transports me straight to an old-fashioned sweet shop with its sweet and spicy bouquet, with hints of sugar cane, ripe fruits and fudge. Extra-maturing Glenmorangie in heavily toasted red wine casks for the first time, has allowed us to create a whisky recalling a bygone era. I hope its deep tastes of cherries, angelica, candied orange peel and unusual intensity of caramelized fruits, will surprise and delight whisky aficionados and malt connoisseurs.” It is bottled at 46% ABV, and is non-chill filtered. RRP £75.99.
Scottish whisky is distilled twice, Irish whiskey thrice. American and Irish whiskies are spelt “ey”
The Glenlivet is now the world’s best selling Malt. It has eclipsed Glenfiddich which held that record for a good number of years.
The oldest whisky is the Glenavon Special Liqueur Whisky, bottled by the Glenavon Distillery in Ballindalloch, Scotland, between 1851 and 1858.
An opened bottle of whisky can remain good for 5 years.
Glenmorangie is the best selling malt in the UK while Famous Grouse is the best selling blended whisky.
More Scotch is sold in one month in France than Cognac in a year.
Blended whisky is most popular in London, while a quarter of all malt whisky sales are in Scotland.
Drinks-led pubs account for 23.3% of value sales for blended whisky, and 24.4% of value sales for malt whisky, according to the Wm Grant 2015 Market Report (CGA).
Scotch whisky has to be bottled at a minimum strength of 40% ABV. Some cask strength whiskies can be as high as 61% in strength.
To be considered Scotch Whisky, the spirit must mature in oak casks in Scotland for a minimum of three years.
Scotch Whisky accounts for approximately one quarter of the UK’s food and drink exports.
The whisky category is worth £990m. Blended whisky accounts for £409m and malts for £158m, with American whisky worth £351m. Figures from the Wm Grant 2015 Market Report (CGA).
Blended whisky is becoming more seasonal with a larger proportion going through the last three months of the year.
Macallan ‘M’ is considered to be the world’s most expensive whisky since a bottle sold for £393,109 last year at auction in Hong Kong.
Drinkers in the UK often choose to drink whisky with just a little water, but in Spain they mix it with cola. In Japan, it is enjoyed with lots of water and ice, and in China with cold green tea.
Approximately 20 million casks lie maturing in Scottish warehouses.
A rare, single-cask whisky from Glenmorangie has been bottled in honour of Prince Albert II of Monaco. The bottle aims to support environmental conservation, a cause which is important to both the Prince and Glenmorangie.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation said, “The beautiful, pale gold whisky we chose was matured in an ex-bourbon cask for 12 years. Reflecting nature’s gifts in its notes of heather, honey, bananas, peaches and lime, the bottling epitomises the Prince and Glenmorangie’s combined passion for single malt and the natural world.”
Each bottle will have a unique seal, ensuring the origin and authenticity of the rare bottle.
Fraiser is a new unique liqueur made from a blend of Scotch whisky and wild Scottish strawberries.
It’s the creation of Master Blender John Smith who was previously Head Blender at Glenmorangie. John is known as ‘The Whisky Man’ within the industry because of his vast experience and knowledge.
Alongside the launch, Fraiser Liqueur is running a cocktail competition to find Scotland’s new cocktail. Entrants will have the opportunity to have their creation recognised as a signature cocktail to be enjoyed over dinner for two at Cromlix House Hotel.
