|
28th September 2023 |
Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo
is the next instalment in Glenmorangie's
'Tale Of', this release is the result of
an experiment with the rarest of
Japanese Mizunara oak casks.
 Blending vibrant, daring flavours with
gentle sweetness, Glenmorangie A Tale of
Tokyo emerges as a single malt whisky
brimming with captivating sensory
contradictions, much like the city it's
named after. Tokyo, Japan's bustling
capital, has long served as a wellspring
of creative inspiration for Dr. Bill
Lumsden, the globetrotting whisky
craftsman behind Glenmorangie. Here, he
seamlessly harmonises the lively urban
streets with tranquil gardens and
time-honoured traditions with
cutting-edge modernity.
Drawing inspiration from his numerous
journeys to Tokyo and an eagerness to
experiment with the rarest of Japanese
Mizunara oak casks, Dr. Bill has crafted
a limited edition expression
distinguished by enchanting paradoxes.
Within this whisky's flavour spectrum,
the piquancy of pepper encounters the
bitterness of cherries and coconut,
while tantalizing notes of orange zest
meld with incense and sweet oak. In the
finish, one can discern the classic
Glenmorangie flavours of mandarin,
almond, and marzipan.
For 180 years, Glenmorangie's whisky
creators have pursued unceasing
experimentation in their quest to
concoct delectable whiskies. Today this
experimentation is guided by
Glenmorangie's visionary Director of
Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, they
transmute whatever captures their
imagination into the realm of whisky.
Some time ago, while traversing Japan to
share the joys of Glenmorangie far and
wide, Dr. Bill pondered the prospect of
formulating a single malt that
encapsulated Tokyo's diverse pleasures.
He also pondered the potential influence
of intricate Japanese Mizunara oak on
the Highland distillery's delicate,
floral character. Following a tireless
quest, he succeeded in securing a
limited quantity of Mizunara casks
renowned for imparting an unmistakable
and extraordinary flavour to whisky. He
artfully balanced the resulting
distinctive and bold notes from Japanese
oak with Glenmorangie aged in both
bourbon and sherry casks, thereby
creating a beautifully balanced whisky
that encapsulates Tokyo's intriguing
juxtapositions.
To breathe life into the vibrant
inspiration and flavours embodied by A
Tale of Tokyo, Glenmorangie collaborated
with the Japanese artist Yamaguchi
Akira. Through his artistic lens,
Yamaguchi presents a playful
interpretation of the city's rich layers
of history and culture, adorning each
bottle and its packaging with his unique
artwork. This artwork melds his
signature maximalist bird's-eye view
style with Glenmorangie's technicolour
palette, juxtaposing iconic landmarks
and attributes from both Tokyo and the
Highland Distillery. Traditional
Japanese pastimes are intertwined with
nods to the whisky's flavours. From
Tokyo Tower and Ueno Park to
Glenmorangie's towering stills and lush
Mizunara oak trees, his work conceals
intricate, hidden discoveries, including
several discreet figures of Dr. Bill
scattered throughout.
Dr Bill Lumsden said: "I’m lucky to have
travelled widely over the years sharing
Glenmorangie around the world whilst
also gathering new inspiration for
whisky creations, and Tokyo has always
been one of my favourite places. I’m
fascinated by the contradictions between
its bustling streets and tranquil
gardens, ancient and modern buildings,
its many sensory experiences and its
culture. My time there over the years
made me wonder whether I could capture
my experience of Tokyo, and these
beautiful intricacies, in whisky form.
"I partly matured a proportion of
Glenmorangie spirit in rare Japanese
Mizunara oak casks, which I’ve been
curious to experiment with for some
time. The influence of this wood is
incredibly complex and unusual; it
required balance and softening with
Glenmorangie matured in bourbon and
sherry casks, and the result is a dram
as full of delicious sensory contrasts
as a trip to Tokyo."
Yamaguchi Akira said: "It’s been a joy
to collaborate with Glenmorangie to
bring Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo to
life through my art. The idea of my
residing home conjures up so many
different thoughts and feelings, and my
work reflects Tokyo’s contrasts in many
ways. Incorporating hints about
Glenmorangie and its whisky really
appealed to my sense of playfulness."
Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo has
recently been awarded Double Gold at the
San Francisco World Spirits Competition
2023. It will be available from
Selfridges exclusively from 1st to 15th
October, then be available from 16th
October onwards at specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
|
Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo Review
|
Bottled at 46% ABV.
Producer's
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Powerfully
herbal, with hints of toffee contrasted
by incense and saddle-soap, followed by
a resinous note and a touch of cedar
wood.
Taste: A
peppery mouthfeel leads into notes of
tangy oranges and bitter cherries
alongside fennel and chewy oak.
Finish: Long
and gently nutty, with hints of almond,
mandarin, ground white pepper and more
wood resin.
|
Where To Buy Whisky Online
|
|
Select a country for a list of
specialist Whisky shops who delivers to
you:
|
Whisky Focus
<<<Back to
Whisky Focus for more Whisky News
|
Top
Of Page |
|
|
Online Whisky Shops |
|
|
|
New Whiskies |
| Check out the latest
new whisky releases. |
 |
| Worldwide delivery
available.
More Info |
|
