Highland single malt producer Glenmorangie has bottled its first whisky made from barley kilned with woodland botanicals.
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s director of whisky creation, took inspiration from the woods near his home.
Botanicals used during the kilning process included juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers. The whisky was aged in bourbon barrels, including many refill casks.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest will retail for RRP £75 (US$85). Set to launch on 3 October, the whisky will be available exclusively from Selfridges until 17 October.
Lumsden said: “Every time I go into the woods where I live, I notice something new, be it the fragrance of last night’s rainfall or the sound of leaves rustling a particular way.
“I began to imagine how we could bring the forest to life in a whisky, by kilning barley with materials from woodland, the way our ancestors did.
“After many experiments, we fell in love with the flavours brought by juniper, birch bark and heather, to create a Glenmorangie as lush and leafy as the forest itself.
“With aromas of pine needles, woodland moss, juniper’s sharpness, and tastes of eucalyptus, mint, bitter orange and distant smoke, A Tale of the Forest is a whisky to surround, delight and surprise you, whether you enjoy it deep in a forest or in cocktails at home.”
Illustrator Pomme Chan has created a woodland-inspired packaging design for the new release.
She walked deep into her favourite forest in northern Thailand to find inspiration, and has incorporated blossoming heather, juniper, oranges and pine cones into the design.
Chan added: “To me, a forest is all about the senses – the fragrance, as well as what you see and hear. Through my illustration, I wanted to convey the mysterious depth of the forest as well as the botanicals and flavours you can find in the whisky: heather, juniper, orange, mint.
“I hope the pack draws people in and invites them to imagine themselves enjoying Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest on a hike or a picnic – in a forest, of course.”
In August, Glenmorangie unveiled Grand Vintage Malt 1998. The new expression followed a redesign of the brand’s core collection.
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