Glenmorangie

The secret of the ninth Private Edition

Today, Glenmorangie reveals the secret of its ninth Private Edition: the multi-award-winning, limited series from the Scottish Highland distillery is relaunched every year and is particularly innovative this time. The single malt matures in casks that were previously used to store American rye whiskey. A special treat for connoisseurs and aficionados. Inspired by the golden era of American rye whiskeys, Glenmorangie Spìos impresses with its sophistication and fine spiciness.


With its rich and full-bodied character
Glenmorangie Spìos (Scottish Gaelic for "spice", pronounced like "spie-oss") is reminiscent of the glory days of American rye whiskey at the beginning of the 20th century. Back then, it was one of the most popular drinks in the finest saloons due to its unmistakable spiciness. It served as inspiration for classic cocktail creations such as the Old Fashioned or the Manhattan. However, as the spirit of the times changed, so did taste preferences, with the result that rye whiskey fell into oblivion. This was not to change until the late 1990s, when Dr. Bill Lumsden, Head of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks at Glenmorangie, travelled to the USA and discovered the cinnamon and clove notes of this rare whiskey for himself. The subtle rye flavor was an invitation to emphasize the famous smoothness of Glenmorangie in a way that other whiskies could not. This led to the idea of one day commemorating this historic elegance as part of the distillery's famous Private Edition. For the Glenmorangie Spìos, Dr. Lumsden bought the best, single-fill oak barrels in Kentucky, the home of rye whiskey, and had them transported halfway around the world. Long before rye whiskey experienced its current revival, the hand-picked casks arrived at the Glenmorangie distillery in the Scottish Highlands, where their fascinating aromas were transferred over the years to the pure, smooth whiskey that is only distilled in Glenmorangie's special copper stills, the highest in Scotland.


Dr. Lumsden explains:
"I've always liked that particular spiciness of American rye whiskey. I thought the flavors from these barrels where it used to be aged would be a perfect match for our well-known smooth style. The result is Glenmorangie Spìos: a full-bodied, tasty single malt whiskey reminiscent of the golden age of American rye whiskey. Fresh scents of herbs with traces of cherry, clove and green grass fill the nose on tasting. Then the taste of rye pours over the palate. Caramel, clove and cinnamon mingle with creamy vanilla to create a sweet, lingering finish. I hope that connoisseurs and collectors will appreciate this latest innovation in our Private Edition. A single malt that is unmistakably Glenmorangie and yet completely different."
www.glenmorangie.com