Glenmorangie Has A New 25 Year Old Single Malt, But Only In Travel Retail

Glenmorangie has introduced the third release in their Bond House No. 1 Collection, Grand Vintage Malt 1993, in select Travel Retail stores. Matured for a decade in bourbon casks, Grand Vintage Malt 1993 was then finished in Bual Madeira casks for 15 years, unprecedented for Glenmorangie. In fact, it’s highly unusual for secondary maturation to last either 15 years or outstrip the length of time of primary maturation.

Since it was founded in 1843, Glenmorangie has been tireless in the pursuit of perfection. In the same year Glenmorangie’s Grand Vintage Malt 1993 was created, the distillery took a crucial step forward in marrying art and science through the establishment of an in-house sensory laboratory. The new laboratory enables Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, Distilling & Whisky Stocks, Dr. Bill Lumsden, to explore the boundaries of his craft like never before.

As the Glenmorangie spirit of 1993 aged, “Dr. Bill” observed it closely until, after ten years in ex-bourbon casks, one parcel came to the fore. Then, he transferred the whisky into casks which once held Bual Madeira, slowly matured in the traditional way, for a rich, bitter-sweet taste. Dr. Bill allowed the whisky a full 15 years of finishing, the longest Madeira finish he had ever achieved. Bottled just as its intriguing sharpness found the ultimate balance with Glenmorangie’s complex fruit notes, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993 embodies his mastery of whisky making.

“The flinty intensity of Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993 is a rare tribute to the distillery’s new, more exacting approach to whisky creation,” explains Dr. Bill Lumsden. “Before, we might never have dared such a long finish – and left this expression’s depths undiscovered. With an intriguing mineral note interlaced with its fruity aromas, rich, honeyed tastes and subtle woodsmoke, this whisky’s delicious contrasts will give travelling collectors and visitors to our Highland distillery a unique insight into our Bond House No. 1 Collection.”

The Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1993 is bottled at 43% ABV and will retail for $650 to $675 (pending market availability).