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GLENMORANGIE DISTILLERY
The biggest-selling malt in Scotland has become available in a far larger range of versions in the past ten years. Glenmorangie briefly led the field in “official” cask-strength bottlings, then pioneered “wood finishes”, from sherry variations such as fino to port and French wines. More recently, it has launched several “first-fill” versions based on Bourbon barrels, the wood used to mature its principal product. The company selects its own trees in the Ozark mountains of Missouri, has its wood seasoned by air-drying (rather than kilning), and loans its casks for four years to the Heaven Hill Bourbon distillery in Kentucky. All this from one of the smaller companies in the industry. The distillery is at the pretty, sandstone town of Tain (pop. 4,000). The town and distillery are on the coast about 40 miles north of Inverness. From the A9 road, the short, private drive passes between an assortment of trees and a dam shaped like a millpond. Beyond can be seen the waters of the Dornoch Firth. The distillery comprises solid-looking stone buildings with rather utilitarian pagodas and a water wheel. The distilling water flows from springs, on sandstone hills, and flows over heather and clover, the geology contributing to the whisky’s firmness of body, the flowers to its famously scenty character. (A French perfume house identified 26 aromas, from almond, bergamot, and cinnamon to verbena, vanilla, and wild mint. More recently, a New York fragrance company managed only 22). Some of the fruitiness may be derived from the house yeast. The spirit’s delicacy is owed also to the tallest stills in Scotland, at 5.13 meters (16ft 101/2 in). Finally, the sea adds a breezy touch of saltiness. There is even a very faint hint of seaweed. Records show illicit brewing and distilling in the region in the 1600s, and at the Morangie farm in the early 1700s. There was a Morangie brewery on the present site, and this was converted into a legal distillery in 1843. The present buildings date mainly from 1887, and the company from 1918. Two years later, the company bought the Glen Moray distillery, on Speyside. Much more recently, in 1997, it acquired and restored Ardbeg, on Islay. The company was called Macdonald and Muir until 1996. Although the fourth generation of the original family is still involved, the name was changed to that of the flagship distillery (pronounced to rhyme with “orangey”). It means “Glen of Tranquility”.
HOUSE STYLE Back to Northern Highlands Distilleries Single Malt Scotch, Irish Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye Whisky, Canadian Whisky, Cognac and Tequila all available for purchase online to Michigan residents only |
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