If age statement is what matters to you when choosing whisky, the options may be hard to come by. Distilleries tend to release these in extremely small batches. In some cases, a lottery determines who can purchase one, while others put them up for auction. Meanwhile, Glenmorangie is promoting the 50 Years Old as its oldest dram to date.
As impressive as half a century sounds, other labels have dropped expressions that are way older than this. Nonetheless, you can’t deny this release is already on the radar of collectors and drinkers who live to sample the most exquisite of spirits. Moreover, details from the press release tell us there’s more to it than just the lengthy maturation.
Glenmorangie is apparently partnering with husband-and-wife ceramic artists Peter Pincus and Laurie Pincus. The duo behind Pincus Porcelain were reportedly tasked with crafting 149 unique ceramic containers to ship the numbered 50 Years Old bottles in. In addition to the couple’s contribution, there’s another crucial cog in this endeavor.
Credited with crafting the bespoke beverage is Master Distiller Dr. Bill Lumsden MBE. According to the marketing page, the single malt Scotch whisky began as “some of the last batches of barley malted in the distillery’s own floor maltings which were decommissioned in 1977.”
Its hue is that of dark mahogany, with aromas of toffee, cardamom, nutmeg, sultanas, amber, herbs, coriander, parsley, and leather. Take a sip to discover notes of oak tannin, birch tar, grape must, cinnamon, Assam tea leaves, cloves, and toffee. Lastly, the 50 Years Old touts a finish of oak, leather, eucalyptus, treacle toffee, and aniseed.
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Images courtesy of Glenmorangie
