Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
The sixth release in Glenmorangie’s exciting “A Tale of…” series, Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices, is a fascinating expression born from the experiments of the brand’s legendary Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, together with Master Blender Gillian Macdonald. Inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of spice markets, A Tale of Spices is first matured in bourbon casks before undergoing a unique finishing process across four different cask types: predominantly Moroccan red wine casks, along with STR (shaved, toasted and re-charred wine casks), charred new oak, and Pedro Ximénez casks. This complex cask recipe brings forward the distinctive spice character that gives the whisky its name. It's bottled at 46% ABV without chill filtration.
| Country / Region | Scotland / Highland |
|---|---|
| Brand | Glenmorangie |
| Type | Single Malt |
| Abv (%) | 46 |
| Character | Complex, Spicy |
| Price at the time of tasting | £72 |
| Nose | On the first whiff, it immediately reminded me of an aromatic Jamaican rum. Rich vanilla, caramel, dried apricot, and almond are joined by cinnamon and ginger. As the glass opens up, earthy and spicy notes become more pronounced, amplifying the character suggested in the whisky’s name, “Spices.” Menthol, a touch of anise, and even hints of kiwi add further layers, making the nose highly complex and engaging. |
|---|---|
| Palate | The spice-driven character intensifies on the palate. Cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, clove, almond, and citrus peel are rounded out by earthy undertones, brown sugar, caramel, and oak. Full of spice, rich, and persistent on the tongue. |
| Finish | Long, with cinnamon, clove, and black pepper lingering. |
| Overall: | Like the other releases in the series, this expression truly lives up to its name. Both on the nose and the palate, the spice character is strikingly pronounced. Of course, every whisky carries a degree of spice, but in Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices, the depth and complexity of this profile stand out. I particularly enjoyed the nose, which felt especially rewarding. It’s also worth noting that the growing warmth on the palate has nothing to do with the ABV—it’s entirely derived from the cask influence. Beyond sipping neat, I believe this whisky would shine beautifully in classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan. |
| Rating | 84/100 |