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It takes a decade of patient maturation in the finest casks – only ever used twice – to create the smoother, rounder taste of Glenmorangie’s signature single malt, The Original.
Inspired by the character that these hand-selected ex-bourbon casks bring to the whisky, the award-winning Highland Distillery brings new life to their staves, in the world’s first bicycles made from whisky casks.
Picture: the whisky cask bike, supplied
Since 1843, Glenmorangie has been renowned for its innovative whisky creation and expertise in wood.
Its purer, smoother spirit emerges from Scotland’s tallest stills, which allow only the lightest vapours to reach the top.
This delicate spirit then spends a decade in the highest-quality American oak ex-bourbon casks, as it matures into Glenmorangie’s flagship expression.
And, while many distilleries may fill casks up to five or six times, the casks of The Original are used only twice – ensuring they always remain full of flavour, to enrich the spirit within.
From first-fill casks, the whisky gains wonderful wood notes of vanilla, almond, coconut and honey.
The parcel matured in second-fill casks, invites the citrus tones of Glenmorangie’s spirit to shine through. Together, they create The Original’s soft and smooth style.
Picture: the bike frame is made from Glenmorangie whisky casks, supplied
In honour of the wood which so shapes The Original, Glenmorangie has formed an innovative collaboration with bicycle pioneer Renovo, to create a ground-breaking limited edition of bicycles from the whisky’s casks.
Renovo shares Glenmorangie’s passion for wood – its founder was so inspired by the material’s superior abilities to create a smoother ride, that he designed the first engineered wooden bicycle a decade ago.
When the casks’ work at the Distillery is done, their staves are shipped from Scotland to Renovo’s workshop in Oregon, in the U.S.
Picture: bike and casks at Glenmorangie Distillery, supplied
There, with a meticulous precision which echoes Glenmorangie’s uncompromising dedication to whisky creation, they are crafted into Glenmorangie Original bicycles.
Each contains about 15 staves in a frame which reflects the curvature of the casks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EdwY6Z5oDA
Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation, said: “Glenmorangie is renowned for using the finest casks just twice, to create the smoother, rounder profile of The Original –a whisky which beautifully balances hints of ripening peaches and citrus fruits with creamy, vanilla notes, to delight malt connoisseurs and amateurs alike.
"This pioneering collaboration with Renovo brings new life to the casks which inspire our whisky. Each one of these limited-edition bicycles is a fitting celebration of our expertise in wood and shared passion for creativity.”
Renovo’s founder Ken Wheeler, said: “We are so excited to be working with Glenmorangie, a Distillery with which we feel such affinity.
"Renovo is dedicated to honouring wood in the creation of our bicycles, engineered to perfection for a smoother ride.
"And these beautiful machines, uniquely fashioned from Glenmorangie’s staves, will inspire anyone with a taste for innovation."
