🥃 Glenmorangie The Original

Glenmorangie The Original is the brand's signature expression: a single malt Scotch whisky, now 12 years old at 40% ABV, matured in bourbon casks ¹. The producer calls it the starting point of all its whiskies. It used to be sold as a ten-year-old ², so old and new bottles differ.

The whisky is distilled in stills 5.14 m tall ³ and matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, first and second fill according to Difford's Guide ². The law for Scotch requires only 3 years and 40% ABV ⁴, so the 12 years are the producer's choice.

The producer describes a bright gold colour, citrus and ripening peach with vanilla on the nose, a burst of flowery fruit on the palate and a long finish of almond, coconut and maple syrup ¹. LVMH counts 140 aromas in The Original ³.

The 12-year-old won gold at the World Whiskies Awards 2024 ¹. The 2012 tasting note in Difford's Guide refers to the old ten-year-old version: honey, creamy butterscotch, lemon and vanilla ².

Why this matters to you. Check the age on the label, since bottles of the old version may still be on sale. The Original is the starting point for comparing casks: The Lasanta is finished in sherry casks, The Nectar in sweet wine casks. WHO: no amount of alcohol is safe ⁵.