Glenmorangie was amongst the first Scottish distillers (1960s) to use ex bourbon barrels to age their whisky rather than Spanish oak (sherry casks). This helped to change the taste profile of Scottish Whisky in a significant manner, and today ex bourbon barrels are use extensively alongside ex sherry casks in many Scottish distilleries. Then, in 1996, Glenmorangie introduced their wood finish range which began the distillery’s experimentation with a range of new wood finishes like port wood casks and wine barriques. Again, the industry followed suit, and now wine finishes are used by many distilleries. Once again Glenmorangie can claim some of the credit for helping to extend the range of the Scottish whisky taste profile.
The whisky which is the subject of this review is Glenmorangie, The Original. I think what the fellows at the Glenmorangie distillery mean by ‘The Original’ in not that this is the original malt made exactly as it was in 1843 when the Glenmorangie Distillery was established. What is meant is that this is the original bourbon finished Glenmorangie Single Malt which is aged for ten years and serves as the cornerstone of the Glenmorangie line-up. My previously reviewed Glenmorangie, The Quinta Ruban and Glenmorangie, The Nectar D’or would first have been distilled and aged in the same manner as The Original, before they each received their exotic wood finish.
The Glenmorangie Website described The Original as follows:
“The original expression of our elegant, floral spirit and the real backbone of the Glenmorangie range. A ten-year-old single malt, Glenmorangie Original is produced by marrying the delicate spirit that emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, with first and second fill American white oak casks.”
It will be interesting to see how this ‘Original’ Glenmorangie Single malt compares to its exotic wood finished cousins.
You may read the full review here:
As well I have included a nice cocktail recipe which I think is Simply Irresistible!
I have been wandering through the Canadian Club Whisky line-up for a few months now reviewing the portfolio of whiskies in no particular order. As far as the brand goes, the Canadian Club 20 Year Old is the premier production whisky in the line-up, being the oldest offering that Canadian Club produces on a yearly basis.
The Rum Howler Blog 