2nd September 2025
Glenmorangie bottles the spice market’s mosaic of flavours in latest limited-edition whisky
Finished for the first time in four different cask types, Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices is the
sixth release in the imaginative series
An aromatic whirl of spice and sweetness, Glenmorangie’s latest limited edition captures the
mosaic of flavours and colours found at a vibrant spice market. Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
is the sixth release in the Highland Distillery’s award-winning ‘A Tale Of…’ series, showcasing its
whisky creators’ relentless imagination. Inspired by the sensory delights of these bustling
marketplaces, this whisky is made from a marriage of Glenmorangie finished in four different cask
types for the first time, including an experimental Glenmorangie aged in Moroccan red wine
casks. Fragrant with notes of ginger, saffron, nutmeg and sugared almonds, A Tale of Spices
brings distinctive layers of complexity to Glenmorangie’s elegant style.
For more than 180 years, Glenmorangie’s whisky creators have been endlessly imaginative in
their quest to create pioneering single malts – as elegant as they are inviting. Led by Director of
Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, they are constantly challenging themselves to take
whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky. Their A Tale Of… series is the
trailblazing result. Driven by curiosity and a passion for creating new flavours, the series’ whiskies
can be inspired by a memory or experience – from the delights of an ice-cream parlour, to the
cosy feeling of being warm as snow falls outside, and more.
Travelling the world in search of extraordinary casks to bring new flavours to Glenmorangie, Dr
Bill has always been drawn to spice markets, with their fragrant aromas and rainbow hues.
Envisioning a whisky infused with such variety, he and Master Blender Gillian Macdonald
experimented by finishing bourbon-aged Glenmorangie in four different types of cask for the first
time. Never used before at Glenmorangie, Moroccan red wine casks crafted from French oak
give this creation mouth-watering layers of spice. New charred oak casks add another spicy
dimension. Shaved, toasted red wine casks offer nuanced, fruity notes, while Pedro Ximénez
sherry casks bring rich, sweet depths.
From this unusual cask combination comes a uniquely complex Glenmorangie – perfumed,
sweet, and spicy. A Tale of Spices brims with notes of cumin, saffron, nutmeg, ginger and chilli.
Floral hints of rose and jasmine are lifted by sugar-coated almonds and a distinct eucalyptus
note. Ideal for gifting, the whisky is housed in a presentation box featuring a mosaic of vibrant,
warm hues. In this way it evokes the vividly coloured, conical mounds of spices found in the most
exquisite spice markets.
Dr Bill said: “I have always loved the variety of colours and aromas I’ve found in spice markets
around the globe. Some years ago, Master Blender Gillian Macdonald and I experimented with
Moroccan red wine casks for the first time and became captivated by the fragrant, spiced notes
that they imparted to our whisky. From there, we created an unusual cask recipe of new charred
oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and shaved, toasted red wine casks to create a mosaic of
flavours. Each sip of this limited edition is like immersing yourself in the sensory delights of a spice
market – with new flavours and aromas at every turn. There are complex, earthy notes of ginger,
nutmeg and cumin, with sweet floral hints and sugared almonds floating over the top. A sensory
delight for single malt lovers to explore and enjoy.”
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices has already been recognised with a Gold award at the
International Spirits Competition 2025.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices will be available from 2nd September to purchase online at
glenmorangie.com, at the Distillery Visitor Centre in Tain and in many e-retailers and specialist
whisky shops, RRP: £76.
The limited edition has also inspired a menu of aromatic cocktails celebrating spice markets’
scents and colours. They can be found at glenmorangie.com.
TASTING NOTES
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices is bottled at 46% ABV
Colour: Mustard Gold
Aroma: Spicy, sweet and wonderfully perfumed, with notes of rose, carnation, jasmine and lilac,
along with myriad spices – cumin, saffron, nutmeg, ginger, chilli and anise, along with some
gentle sweet oak and chestnut. With a few drops of water, some delicate fruits emerge, along
with a touch of menthol and bread dough.
Taste: The mouthfeel bursts with sizzling spices, lots of ginger, black pepper and mustard seed,
which gives a bold earthiness to the flavour. This is backed up by a soft sweetness like mint toffee
and demerara sugar along with some sugar-coated almonds. The whole palate is lifted by a
distinct eucalyptus note.
Finish: Filled with hints of clove, leather and peppermint.
About Glenmorangie:
Glenmorangie’s whisky makers use endless imagination and five key ingredients – wood, water,
barley, yeast and time – to dream up single malt whiskies as elegant as they are inviting. They’ve
been honing their craft for 180 years. They create a delicate and fruity spirit in stills as tall as a
giraffe to allow for more taste and aroma. Led by Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden,
this pioneering team are on a mission to bring new flavours and possibilities to the world of single
malt.
In 2025, Glenmorangie unveiled a new brand campaign, ‘Once Upon a Time in Scotland’,
fronted by Hollywood icon Harrison Ford. Taking the form of 12 episodes, the series explores
Glenmorangie’s authentic truths, from its stunning Highland surroundings to the real people who
create its complex and elegant whiskies.
About Glenmorangie’s whisky creators:
Glenmorangie’s Whisky Creation Team’s favourite phrase is “What if?”. And they are constantly
challenging themselves to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky – be
that the elegant pleasures of the ice-cream parlour (Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream), the
beguiling flavours of freshly brewed coffee (Glenmorangie Signet) and more.
At the helm of the team is Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Director of Whisky Creation. With a PhD in
biochemistry and decades of experience, Dr Bill has all the skills needed to bring these ideas to
life. Already, he has earned the admiration of his peers many times over. For instance, he has
taken his place in the Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame. He has won the International Whisky
Competition’s award for Master Distiller of the Year more times than anyone else. And he has
been named Master Blender/Distiller of the Year by the International Spirits Challenge twice.
Working hand-in-hand with Dr Bill is Gillian Macdonald, The Glenmorangie Company’s Master
Blender. Gillian combines art and science in her role, with her main responsibilities including the
daily sensory analysis of the new-make spirit, core range recipes and the co-ordination of the
Company’s sensory panel. Both Bill and Gillian manage the New Product Development pipeline
for Glenmorangie which involves nosing hundreds of casks a year for final recipe selection.
About the making of Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices:
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices is the Distillery’s first whisky created from four different cask
finishes. Inspired to bring complex spice and sweetness to a single malt, Glenmorangie’s whisky
creators first aged whisky in bourbon casks. Then they finished select parcels in four separate
types of casks. Together, their skilful combination of cask finishes creates a whisky of distinctive
complexity, reminiscent of the aromatic delights of spice markets. They include:
• Moroccan red wine casks: rarely used in the world of whisky. It is the first time
Glenmorangie has been finished in the casks’ medium-toasted French oak. Since the
wood was high in tannins, it brings a unique spice to Glenmorangie’s elegant spirit;
• Shaved, toasted red wine casks: (also known as dechar/rechar casks). Occasionally
used to bring their nuanced sweetness to a whisky. The process involves removing the
wood from the surface of a wine barrel, and then toasting it again. This creates a rare
harmony between the wine notes and oak flavours which the wood gives the whisky.
They were used in the creation of Glenmorangie’s innovative Private Edition release
Glenmorangie Milsean;
• New charred oak casks: These bring additional spice to whisky – memorably used by
Glenmorangie in its Travel Retail Exclusive Glenmorangie Elementa and, from the core
range, Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve;
• Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. These casks are known for their rich, sweet flavours. They
add a fruity sweetness to the whisky.
About Glenmorangie’s A Tale Of… series:
This award-winning series of experimental limited editions showcases the relentless imagination
of Glenmorangie’s talented whisky creators. Crafted to bring joy to whisky lovers old and new,
its single malts have inspired playful collaborations with fellow creatives, as well as a host of
delicious cocktails.
• The series began with Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake, released in 2020. Capturing the
magic of a cake moment, this sweet, multi-layered whisky finished in Tokaji dessert wine
casks, is lusciously reminiscent of cake. Renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel created
a series of cocktail and cake pairings, known as CakeTails, to accompany the whisky.
• Second in the series, Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter encapsulates the magical feeling of
sitting in front of the fireplace as snow blankets the world outside. Finished in Marsala wine
casks, it swirls with a flurry of wintry aromas and flavours. The whisky’s knitted-style
packaging inspired designer Donna Wilson to create knitted clothing and accessories.
• Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is the series’ third whisky. Inspired by Dr Bill’s walks in
the woods near his home, it is Glenmorangie’s first single malt crafted from barley kilned
with woodland botanicals. With flavours as lush and leafy as a forest, the whisky’s artwork
featured a fantastical, technicolour forest illustration created by Thai illustrator Pomme
Chan.
• The series’ fourth whisky is Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo. Marrying Glenmorangie’s first
whisky aged in sought-after Japanese Mizunara oak casks with bourbon and sherry
casks, it is as full of contradictions as Tokyo – a favourite city of Dr Bill. Inspired by the
whisky, artist Yamaguchi Akira created a stunning cityscape of Tokyo, which is depicted
on the whisky’s packaging. It won a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits
Competition.
• Glenmorangie A Tale of Ice Cream is the fifth whisky in the series. To evoke the flavours
of an ice-cream parlour in a whisky, Glenmorangie’s whisky creators married whisky aged
in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky finished in high-vanillin casks. These virgin oak
casks were toasted especially to create higher concentrations of vanillin – an aromatic
compound which brings vanilla flavours to whisky.