The Whiskyphiles

Glenmorangie

glenmorangie-disitllery

History According to the Glenmorangie Company, the earliest record of the production of alcohol at Morangie Farm is dated 1703. In the 1730s a brewery was built on the site that shared the farm’s water source, the Tarlogie Spring. A former distillery manager, William Matheson, acquired the farm in 1843 and converted the Morangie brewery to a distillery, equipped with two second hand gin stills. He later renamed the distillery Glenmorangie. The distillery was purchased by its main customer, the Leith firm Macdonald and Muir, in 1918. The Macdonald family would retain control of the company for almost 90 years. Glenmorangie, like all distilleries and breweries in Britain, suffered terribly between 1920 and 1950, with Prohibition and then the Great Depression in the United States reducing whisky sales. The distillery was effectively mothballed between 1931 and 1936. The depression ended with World War II, but the war effort left fuel and barley in short supply and the distillery was again mothballed between 1941 and 1944. Exports of whisky were important during the war, but enemy action disrupted and destroyed deliveries to the United States and Canada.

Towards the end of the war and in the immediate post-war period, the distillery increased production and was running at full capacity by 1948. The number of stills was increased from two to four during 1977. Water supply became a concern during the 1980s when development of the land around the Tarlogie Springs seemed likely. Development could have reduced the quality and quantity of water available to the distillery, so the decision was made to purchase around 600 acres (2.4 km2) of land around and including the Tarlogie Springs. The distillery once again engaged in expansion during 1990 when it added a further four stills, and two additional fermentation vessels (or washbacks) were added during 2002. Four new stills were added in 2009, bringing the total to twelve.

The Macdonald family retained ownership of 52% of the company through a complicated London stock exchange listing which saw the family hold the majority of the voting shares in the company. In 2004, the company was sold to the French drinks company Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for around £300 million. Following the change of ownership, the Glenmorangie product line was rebranded to increase its appeal in the overseas luxury goods market. A new, more curvaceous, bottle was introduced and the Wood Finish whiskies were given new names such as The Quinta Ruban, Nectar d’Or and LaSanta. According to Professor Paul Freathy, the director of the Institute of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling, “The French-sounding names are an unusual innovation, because what makes whisky unique is the traditional tie to Scotland. It’s a brave strategy.”

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

Official Bottling
  • glenmorangie-10-year-old-the-original-whisky Glenmorangie 10 Years Old Original (2014) – It is incredibly smooth and drinkable. It is enjoyably not too sweet or challenging. Heather honey and fruits dominate in what is quite a subtly complicated whisky. Always room for more of this on my whisky shelf. 84/100
  • glenmorangie-lasanta-12-year-old-whisky Glenmorangie 12 Years Old Lasanta (2014) – Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Years Old (46%, OB, 2nd Edition, Oloroso Finish, 2011) 46% ABV, £35-45 for 70cl Score: 84/100 What they say: Elegant but full bodied this whisky has spent ten years maturing in American white oak ex-bourbon casks before being extra-matured for a further two years in Oloroso Sherry casks from Jerez in Spain. […]
  • Glenmorangie 12 Years Old Nectar D’Or (2014) – Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or (46%, OB, 2nd Edition, Sauternes Finish, 2011) 46% ABV, £35-£40 for 70cl Score: 82/100 What they say: Great to see French casks that actually complement a whisky – so rare! An exercise in outrageously good sweet-dry balancing” – Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2010 It is here, in hand selected wine barriques from […]
  • Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12yo Glenmorangie 12 Years Old Quinta Ruban (2013) – Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 12 year old (46%, OB, 2nd Edition, Port Finish, 2011) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glenmorangie Distillery Bottling: Luis Vuitton Moet-Hennessy ABV: 46% Cost: £49.43 What they say: The darkest and most intense whisky in the extra-matured range, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak […]
  • glenmorangie-a-tale-of-cake-whisky Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake (2020) – Well I guess malt-light highlights Glenmorangie’s delicate spirit and I did pick up on a bit of fruit and sugar here but this was much more fresh wood than a piece of cake for me. 80/100
  • Glenmorangie Bacalta (2017) – Glenmorangie Bacalta (46%, OB, Bourbon & Madeira Casks Finish, 2017) Whisky Review Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glenmorangie Distillery Bottling: Moet-Hennessy ABV: 46% Cost: £81.65 What they say: The eighth release in our multi-award-winning and always intriguing Private Edition, Glenmorangie Bacalta brings new heights of complexity to a rare wood finish. Inspired by […]
  • Glenmorangie Burgundy Wood Finish (2015) – Glenmorangie Burgundy Wood Finish (43%, OB, 2007) Highland single malt scotch whisky 43% ABV Score: 85/100 What they say: This unique range of malt whiskies has initially been matured intially in American oak casks for at least 10 years and transferred into casks that have previously contained either Burgundy,  Madeira, Port or  Sherry, for a […]
  • glenmorangie-dornoch-whisky Glenmorangie Dornoch (2014) – Glenmorangie Dornoch Limited Edition (Travel Retail 43%, OB, Bourbon & Amontillado Finish, 2014) 43% ABV, £59.99 for 70cl Score: 85/100 What they say: In the far north of Scotland, beside the ancient Royal Burgh of Tain, lies the Glenmorangie Distillery. Established in 1843, the Distillery was named Glenmorangie, Scots Gaelic for ‘Glen of Tranquillity’, perfectly […]
  • Glenmorangie Milsean (2016) – Glenmorangie Milsean Private Edition VII (46%, OB, Bourbon & Re-toasted wine cask finish, 30000 Bottles, 2016) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glenmorangie Distillery Bottling: Official – Moet-Hennessy ABV: 46% Cost: £75.95 What they say: Glenmorangie Milsean is the first Glenmorangie expression to be extra-matured in heavily toasted Portuguese red wine casks. Milsean (Scots […]
  • Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish (2015) – Glenmorangie Port Wood Finish (43%, OB, 2007) Highland single malt scotch whisky 43% ABV, £3 for 5cl from Glenmorangie Distillery Score: 85/100 What they say: This unique malt whisky has been initially been matured in American oak casks and has then been transferred into casks or ‘pipes’ which have previously contained Port for a further […]
  • glenmorangie_signet Glenmorangie Signet (2014) – Glenmorangie Signet (46%, OB, White Oak & Oloroso Finish, 2008) 46% ABV, £125 Score: 90/100 What they say: A fusion of unique and rare elements, and clouded in secrecy, Signet is the culmination of a lifetime’s experience. A blend of our oldest whisky – distilled over thirty years ago when malting still occurred on site […]
  • Glenmorangie-The-Duthac Glenmorangie The Duthac (2016) – Glenmorangie The Duthac (43%, OB, PX & Virgin Oak Casks, 2014) Category: Highland single malt scotch whisky Origin: Glenmorangie Distillery Bottling: Official – Moet-Hennessy ABV: 43% Cost: £69.97 What they say: At the centre of the Royal Burgh of Tain, Ross-shire, in the far north of Scotland where the Glenmorangie Distillery has stood proudly since […]
Independent Bottling