Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989, according to those behind it, is a 27-year-old whisky that Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, created. He initially arranged for select parcels of the Scotch to be finished in a handful of casks, the most interesting of which once contained Côte-Rôtie wine from the northern Rhône wine region of France. Since wine from the Côte-Rôtie appellation (French for roasted slopes) is created from the co-fermentation of syrah and viognier grapes, it is said he was “interested in the character it would bring to Glenmorangie’s soft and smooth spirit.” As the Côte-Rôtie-aged parcels showed themselves to be ready, Dr. Lumsden reunited them with spirit from the same vintage finished in ex-Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon casks. It was then finally bottled at 43% ABV.
Nose: Toasted marshmallow, almond, and a curious, perfumed top note. Classic, buttery scents of vanilla and fudge, burst into notes of baked apples, red fruits, blackcurrants, tropical fruits, fragrant wood smoke, freshly baked bread, and beeswax.
•Taste: An oily, viscous mouthfeel with a gentle peppery sensation on the palate. Baked apples, fudge, and gentle citrus flavors.
•Finish: Floral orange blossom and honey, hints of eucalyptus oil, and sweet aniseed, along with some leather and oak. The addition of water brings more tropical fruits and an intensified citrus note, like dried zest of clementine. A long finish ends with classic wood spices and oak shavings.
