Glenmorangie Readies To Make More Signet

For one week each year, the stills at the Glenmorangie’s Distillery are dedicated to the creation of spirit for their Glenmorangie Signet, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Created by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, Glenmorangie Signet was the first single malt to use a specialized, high roast ‘chocolate malt’ barley in its production, as well as including some of the distillery’s rarest whiskies matured in bespoke designer casks.

Just as the use of the chocolate malt separates Signet from other Glenmorangie creations, it separates it out of the normal run of production as well. The distillation of Glenmorangie Signet is a rare occasion that takes place for one week every year – Signet Week. For seven days each year, the distillery only produces the ‘chocolate malt’ and halts production on all other whiskies, a highly unusual occurrence in the whisky industry. While the exact secrets of its production are known only to Glenmorangie’s whisky creators, the high-roast ‘chocolate malt’ is tumble-roasted in small quantities, coaxing out a spirit of espresso intensity and is tempered over many years by a judicious marriage of unique cask types. Creaminess comes from specially crafted Bourbon barrels, sweetness from sherry butts, and a spicy backbone from unusual virgin charred oak casks; all balanced by some of Glenmorangie’s oldest stocks.

The Glenmorangie Signet is bottled at 46% ABV and this year’s batch will cost $199.99.

“Glenmorangie has always been known for pushing the boundaries of the taste experience through innovation and Signet is, in many ways, the embodiment of that creative vision,” says Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks. “My favorite cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee inspired me to create Signet and it took years of hard work and painstaking attention to detail to bring it to life. We had to forge new ground: to create a spirit that united the ‘chocolate malt’ with Glenmorangie’s signature house malt, to dedicate the stills to that purpose alone for seven days each year, and then to perfect an assemblage from our rarest and most precious whiskies. It remains one of my proudest creations and one I’m delighted to see enjoyed around the world by whisky connoisseurs and newcomers in equal measure.”