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.
Inspired by the sensory delights of bustling marketplaces in India and the Middle East, 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 house style.
Led by director of whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Glenmorangie’s whisky creation team are constantly challenging themselves to take whatever captures their imaginations and turn it into whisky.
Their A Tale Of… series is driven by this 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 a love of a pineapple upside down cake.
Travelling the world in search of casks to bring new flavours to Glenmorangie, Dr Bill has always visits 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 of 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 spice markets.
Of the new release, 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 to purchase online, at the Distillery Visitor Centre in Tain, and at select retailers in the UK from 2 September for an RRP of £76. You can buy a bottle here.
The limited edition has also inspired a menu of aromatic cocktails celebrating spice markets’ scents and colours. They can be found at glenmorangie.com.
