Whisky Focus - An Evening of Scottish Virtuosity 2019 With Glenmorangie & Ardbeg

This years annual Vintages/LCBO sponsored "An Evening of Scottish Virtuosity" event in Toronto, Canada saw Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whisky creator Dr. Bill Lumsden present some very rare premium whiskies from their extensive ranges, and once again our guest writer, Murray Cohen, a Member of the International Order of the Companions of the Quaich and Scotch Malt Whisky Forum Member was there to review the event and of course, the whiskies.

The premier event of the Toronto single malt scene, "An Evening of Scottish Virtuosity 2019" which is sponsored by Vintages/LCBO was held at the prestigious National Club on January 15, 2019. Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks representing the Glenmorangie Company led the structured tasting of nine single malts from Glenmorangie and Ardbeg distilleries. Bill had his hand in the creation of many of the whiskies offered by these two distilleries. His skill and knowledge in everything "whisky" is only matched by his quick wit and engaging personality which made the evening fly by too quickly.

Bill provided a cornucopia of factual and anecdotal information regarding whisky and particularly single malts from these two distilleries. He provided insight both as a scientist and whisky aficionado. Bill’s PhD in chemistry earned many years ago was actually on the effects of calcium and magnesium on fermentation.

Dr. Lumsden addressed some interesting tidbits associated with Glenmorangie. For example, the distillery has the tallest copper stills in Scotland so the mascot of Jeffrey the Giraffe makes perfect sense. Glenmorangie was established in 1843 but the stills were changed in 1887 and were actually second hand gin stills purchased in London. One of his main points was that the character of whisky is determined by what goes on in the walls in the distillery while the water from the local source provides less than a five per cent contribution to the final product.

Bill also proffered some fascinating information about Ardbeg Distillery. There are only two stills and the spirit still has a purifier on the lyne arm that recycles vapors into more floral/herbal complexity which balances the whisky, particularly the peaty component. No one would say that Ardbeg is a floral whisky but the process and science indicates that the purifier does provide a balance in aroma and taste as mentioned.

Dr. Lumsden is willing to push the limits of whisky innovation with offerings like Glenmorangie Signet with chocolate malted barley and Ardbeg grooves with experimentation with barrel effects.

I should mention that the nine whiskies presented were paired with some very unique food items including seafood, cheese, chocolate and meat. I choose not to avail myself of any of the food items as I wanted to create my own taste notes without any outside food influence that would obviously change my palate.

The nine whiskies tasted on the night at an "Evening of Scottish Virtuosity 2019" were:

• Glenmorangie Spios Private Edition No. 9
   
• Glenmorangie 18 Year Old
   
• Glenmorangie Signet
   
• Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1989
   
• Ardbeg Grooves Committee Edition
   
• Ardbeg Twenty Something 22 Year Old
   
• Ardbeg Corryvreckan
   
• Ardbeg Uigeadail
   
• Ardbeg An OA

You will find my description of the nine single malts sampled on the evening below, along with my own detailed taste notes and score for each of the eight drams.

Most of the whiskies are available to buy from specialist online whisky shops such as  The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops
  

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