Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 23 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml
The Glenmorangie distillery is located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands and is famous for its outstanding single malt whiskies. Glenmorangie, derived from the Gaelic language of Scotland, translates to "Valley of Tranquillity." A true testament to craftsmanship and tradition, Glenmorangie has been captivating whisky enthusiasts around the world for centuries. The story of Glenmorangie begins with its founder, William Matheson, who established the distillery in 1843. Situated near the tranquil Dornoch Firth, the distillery benefits from the region's pristine water source and the gentle sea breezes that caress the aging casks. These natural elements play a vital role in shaping the character of Glenmorangie whiskies, adding a touch of Highland magic to every bottle. One of the hallmarks of Glenmorangie is its commitment to the art of cask maturation. The distillery boasts the tallest copper pot stills in Scotland, which allow for a purer and more refined spirit. This, combined with the use of the finest American white oak barrels, results in whiskies that are smooth, complex and full of character. Glenmorangie takes pride in its dedication to innovation constantly pushing the boundaries of whisky production. The distillery is known for its "Extra Matured" range, where whiskies are finished in a variety of cask types, such as sherry, port and wine, to create unique flavour profiles. This experimentation has garnered Glenmorangie a loyal following of whisky connoisseurs who appreciate the diversity and complexity of their offerings. One of Glenmorangie's most iconic expressions is the Glenmorangie Original, a flagship whisky that embodies the essence of the distillery. For those seeking a more indulgent experience, Glenmorangie offers a range of limited edition releases and prestigious expressions. From the award-winning Glenmorangie Signet, with its rich chocolate and coffee flavors, to the rare Glenmorangie Pride 1978, aged for 41 years and exuding elegance and opulence, these whiskies are a testament to the distillery's unwavering commitment to excellence. Beyond crafting exceptional whiskies, Glenmorangie is deeply rooted in its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The distillery is dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint and protecting the natural resources that make their whiskies so special. From the use of renewable energy sources to the restoration of local wetlands, Glenmorangie strives to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy their whiskies while preserving the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
The Glenmorangie Grand Vintage 1997 is like wandering the spectacular cellars of Chateau Montrose. Vivid with red fruits and candied sweetness, this whisky’s eloquence is a beautiful beacon for our kaleidoscope style.
The whisky’s smooth spirit was distilled in 1997, two years into Dr Bill Lumsden’s time at our Distillery. On his quest to bring different tastes to the world, our Director of Whisky Creation had begun restyling every aspect of our whisky making, dreaming of an evermore expressive Glenmorangie. Already Dr Bill had altered the spirit cut, the moment at which our spirit is taken from our stills, to accentuate its fruity finesse. And captivated by the possibilities of wood finishing, he had started exploring how rare wine casks could shape our whisky’s taste. Laid down in the finest bourbon casks, the spirit of 1997 would inspire one of Dr Bill’s rarest experiments with wood. And after nearly a decade of careful ageing, he transferred a parcel into Château Montrose red wine casks. So exclusive are these casks, that Dr Bill could source only a handful from the celebrated Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux. So intense is the hue of the wine they once held, its rich colour is reflected in the wood of this whisky’s case. Dr Bill was intrigued to discover the distinctive soft, red fruit notes that such casks might bring to the whisky. Experimenting with a finish never attempted before or since at our Distillery, he hoped to create a Glenmorangie dramatically different from any other.
A full 13 years later, that single malt developed extraordinary berried depths. Delighted, Dr Bill began devising a complex marriage of casks to enhance its unparalleled taste. Taking whisky wholly aged in bourbon casks, he hinted at Glenmorangie’s hallmark citrus notes. With whisky finished for many years in oloroso sherry casks, he brought layers of sweetness and spicy finesse, while a skilful selection of secret casks also played their part.
Aged to perfection over 23 years, Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1997 brims with red fruits and candied sweetness. As vivid as Dr Bill’s dream for our whisky, it wondrously celebrates our kaleidoscopic style.
Deep Ochre in colour. The nose is astonishing, perfumed and fruity complexity. Floral notes of rose, jasmine and carnation intermingle with soft red fruits, mint toffee, pastry or cake mix and a sweet confectionery top note. With water, even more soft, floral top notes like roses and carnations emerge, with a very subtle spiciness like sweet chilli, clove and ginger. On the palate is a slightly tingly, gently spicy mouthfeel is followed by a symphony of sweet candy flavours, more soft red fruits, pineapple chunks and a taste reminiscent of pears and mandarin segments in fruit jelly. There are sweet ginger and chilli notes, gentle almond marzipan and vanilla toffee apple. the finish is sweet, rich, long and gently spicy.
The Finer Details
Style - Scotch Whisky
Country - Scotland
Bottle Size - 700ml
ABV - 43%