The oldest Glenmorangie ever released. A half-century in the making. Crafted in partnership with celebrated ceramicists, Peter & Laurie Pincus.

Only 149 bottles have been produced of Glenmorangie’s oldest whisky to date. Aged for 50 years, the new Glenmorangie 50 Years Old dates back to the 1970s, when some of the last malt produced in the distillery’s own floor maltings was distilled in the Scottish Highlands. The whisky was later selected by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s acclaimed Master Distiller, who had followed its development for decades.

When Dr. Bill joined Glenmorangie in 1995, the whisky was already approaching its 20th birthday. Recognizing its potential to mature over a much longer period, he set aside a small number of casks. In 1999, he brought together whisky matured mainly in bourbon casks, with a smaller proportion from sherry casks, and transferred it all into an old bourbon cask. It remained there for another 25 years, until Dr. Bill decided the whisky had reached the right point to be released.

The result is a whisky with the elegance associated with Glenmorangie, alongside the greater depth that comes with five decades of maturation. The nose reveals baked orange, raisins and nutmeg, while the palate brings notes of caramel, Assam tea, clove and oak tannins.

The 149 bottles are accompanied by handmade porcelain cases created in collaboration with American ceramic artist Peter Pincus. Working with his partner Laurie and their studio for more than three years, Pincus developed a palette of 50 pigments and experimented with new ceramic techniques to create a unique design for each case, drawing on the whisky’s tasting profile. The 149 pieces can then be assembled together, their individual patterns forming a single continuous composition entitled Together in Spirit. The result is a work of art designed to accompany one of Glenmorangie’s rarest whiskies.

“When we visited Glenmorangie and tasted this incredible 50-year-old whisky we were inspired with so many ideas for how to present it. We have pioneered new techniques that have never been used in ceramics before and created a palette of colour to bring the intense flavour of this whisky to life.

Each of the vessels we have created links to its neighbours to create a collective masterpiece, but each also has its own identity. This project has been a formative journey of self-discovery for Pincus, and it’s wonderful to see our shared vision for the project come to life.”
– Peter Pincus

TASTING NOTES

Non-chill filtered | 45.7% ABV, cask strength

COLOUR
Dark Mahogany

AROMA
Elegant and curiously aromatic for a whisky of this age, with hints of amber, cardamon, sultanas, nutmeg and baked oranges.  This leads to touches of toffee and leather, with a distinctive herbal top-note, like a whiff of coriander or parsley.  At this age, very little water is needed, but a few added drops will release a candy sweetness and further toffee notes.

TASTE
The mouthfeel is gently peppery and slightly drying, followed by bold flavours of toffee, stewed Assam tea leaves, birch tar, cinnamon and grape must, along with a touch of clove and oak tannin.  The oaky, leathery notes continue, the aftertaste lingers long, revealing hints of aniseed, treacle toffee and eucalyptus.