Our Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1997 is like wandering the spectacular cellars of Chateau Montrose. Vivid with red fruits and candied sweetness, this whisky’s eloquence is a beautiful beacon for our kaleidoscope style.
The whisky’s smooth spirit was distilled in 1997, two years into Dr Bill Lumsden’s time at our Distillery. On his quest to bring different tastes to the world, our Director of Whisky Creation had begun restyling every aspect of our whisky making, dreaming of an evermore expressive Glenmorangie.
Already Dr Bill had altered the spirit cut, the moment at which our spirit is taken from our stills, to accentuate its fruity finesse. And captivated by the possibilities of wood finishing, he had started exploring how rare wine casks could shape our whisky’s taste.
Laid down in the finest bourbon casks, the spirit of 1997 would inspire one of Dr Bill’s rarest experiments with wood. And after nearly a decade of careful ageing, he transferred a parcel into Château Montrose red wine casks. So exclusive are these casks, that Dr Bill could source only a handful from the celebrated Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux. So intense is the hue of the wine they once held, its rich colour is reflected in the wood of this whisky’s case.
Dr Bill was intrigued to discover the distinctive soft, red fruit notes that such casks might bring to the whisky. Experimenting with a finish never attempted before or since at our Distillery, he hoped to create a Glenmorangie dramatically different from any other.
A full 13 years later, that single malt developed extraordinary berried depths. Delighted, Dr Bill began devising a complex marriage of casks to enhance its unparalleled taste. Taking whisky wholly aged in bourbon casks, he hinted at Glenmorangie’s hallmark citrus notes. With whisky finished for many years in oloroso sherry casks, he brought layers of sweetness and spicy finesse, while a skilful selection of secret casks also played their part.
Aged to perfection over 23 years, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 brims with red fruits and candied sweetness. As vivid as Dr Bill’s dream for our whisky, it wondrously celebrates our kaleidoscopic style.