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24th June 2024 |
Glenmorangie
has collaborated with Japanese
botanical artist Azuma Makoto for the
packaging for a limited edition 23 year
old expression, Glenmorangie Dr Bill
Lumsden x Azuma Makoto, the first whisky ever
from the Highland whisky maker finished in casks that once held
Chardonnay white wine from the Meursault
appellation in Burgundy.
 Glenmorangie Highland single malt Scotch
whisky to unveiled a rare limited
edition that they say captures the
essence of the natural world. The
'Glenmorangie Dr Bill Lumsden x Azuma
Makoto 23 Years Old' results from a
collaboration between Glenmorangie's
Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill
Lumsden, and Japanese botanical artist
Azuma Makoto. This single malt, inspired
by their mutual appreciation of nature,
is said to embody the Japanese concept
of shinra bansho, celebrating the
interconnectedness of all things. Azuma
Makoto has translated the whisky’s
intricate notes of flowers, rain-soaked
moss, and earthy nuances into a stunning
botanical artwork displayed on the
edition’s packaging.
During a visit to Glenmorangie’s
Highland Distillery, Dr Bill and Azuma,
a close friend of the brand, were
captivated by the natural beauty
surrounding them. Azuma shared with Dr
Bill the idea of shinra bansho,
encompassing everything from the earth
to the sky. This inspired them to
collaborate on creating a unique single
malt that honours nature in all its
forms.
Dr Bill envisioned a whisky that
intertwines Glenmorangie’s floral
characteristics with the subterranean
world that sustains plant life. He began
with a classic Glenmorangie, aged in
bourbon casks, exuding aromas of lemon
balm and orchids. He then blended this
with Glenmorangie’s first whisky ever
finished in casks that once held
Chardonnay white wine from the Meursault
appellation in Burgundy. The result is a
whisky with notes of moss dampened by
rain, burning oak, and the earthy scents
of the forest floor, creating a rich,
mellow, and profoundly deep spirit.
In his Tokyo studio, Azuma Makoto was
inspired by the whisky’s flavours to
craft his own masterpiece. He gathered
orchids, roses, and various wildflowers
from Scotland and beyond, weaving them
through tree bark, roots, and moss. His
intricate, flowing botanical sculpture,
titled Shinra Bansho, pays homage to the
evolving harmonies of nature. This
beautiful piece, reflecting the layered
complexity of Dr Bill’s creation, is
showcased on the whisky’s packaging.
Dr Bill said: "Our collaboration with
Azuma Makoto is a delicious celebration
of nature’s wonder. Including our first
whisky finished in Chardonnay casks from
Burgundy, this 23-year-old single malt
encapsulates nature in all its forms,
through notes of lemon balsam, poached
pears and cocoa powder layered on the
oaky, earthy tones of the forest floor.
Azuma-san’s stunning sculpture, featured
on the whisky’s packaging, evokes the
fragrant scents and elemental depths of
this extraordinarily rare whisky – a
gift from nature itself."
Azuma Makoto said: "I was honoured to
partner with Dr Bill for this special
celebration of shinra bansho. My
sculpture is a response to my view of
Earth’s blessings – my sense of
gratitude for nature – and for the
flavour of the Highlands, expressed
deliciously in Dr Bill’s whisky."
The whisky will be available at
select retailers in the UK, China,
Japan, Taiwan, India, and the USA, as
well as Glenmorangie’s inaugural
boutique in Terminal 2 of London’s
Heathrow Airport. It has already won
over some whisky critics, earning a
Double Gold award at the International
Spirits Challenge 2024.
As you can imagine you will need deep
pockets if you want to taste the
Glenmorangie Dr Bill Lumsden x Azuma
Makoto 23 Years Old, it has a RRP of
£1,050 and you will find it available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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Glenmorangie 23 YO Dr Bill Lumsden x Azuma Makoto Review
|
Bottled at 46% ABV.
Producer's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Rich,
heady and fragrant. A burst of syrupy
fruits such as peach, pineapple, damson
and plum, followed by some more savoury
notes like burning oak bark, roasting
chestnuts, baking sourdough bread and
some hints of damp forest floor. Water
releases some herbal and floral notes,
with a touch of scented incense,
aromatic orchids and even some grapey,
vinous notes.
Taste: Rich,
sweet and fruity, with an almost waxy
mouthfeel. There are flavours of lemon
balsam, honeycomb, poached pears with a
dusting of cocoa powder, followed by
some gentle woody or balsamic notes.
Finish: Lingering
and mellow, with hints of eucalyptus,
lemon and toasty oak.
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