Glenmorangie Companta Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glenmorangie Companta Single Malt Scotch Whisky

In 1738, a brewery was built upon Morangie Farm in the Highlands region of Scotland. A century later, William Matheson acquired the farm and equipped the Morangie brewery with two stills that he purchased second-hand, and renamed the brewery-converted-distillery Glenmorangie. Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made using malted barley, which is mashed and fermented with water sourced from the Tarlogie Spring. The water produced from the spring, which spends nearly a century underground being filtered through layers of limestone before it is extracted, is unusually rich in minerals. In the 1980s, when development in the area threatened the spring's water quality, Glenmorangie purchased 600 acres of land around and including the spring, in order to ensure consistent water quality and adequate supply. After the barley has been fermented, the wash is twice distilled through Glenmorangie's copper-pot stills by a team of 16 distillers known as the Sixteen Men of Tain. Glenmorangie's stills are equipped with relatively small boiler pots, which increases the exposure of the whisky to the copper, resulting in a more pure flavor. In addition, the stills are nearly seventeen feet tall the tallest of any distillery in Scotland and as a result, produce a lighter, more refined whisky. Following distillation, Glenmorangie Companta Single Malt Scotch Whisky is matured in American oak casks that were previously used to age bourbon. After its initial beauty rest, the whisky is double-barreled in a combination of casks sourced from the Clos de Tart (60%) and Rasteau (40%) appellations of France. The casks sourced from the Clos de Tart appellation were previously used to mature a red burgundy, and exhibited an extraordinary truffle-like, umami character, says Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie's Master of Whisky Creation. "The smaller vineyards of the region don't seem to worry about yields, costs, or timings,"he adds. "They work tirelessly, simply to produce the very best wine. In the same spirit as Glenmorangie, they stop at nothing in the pursuit of perfection."In addition, the Rasteau casks were previously used to age a fortified wine made from Grenache grapes, and as a result, contribute an earthy heartiness to the whisky. After the whisky had matured in the wine casks, it was bottled at 92 proof without the use of chill-filtration. The whisky has a fruity aroma, with notes of chocolate, orange spices and red berries. The palate offers hints of tobacco, sherbet, ginger, brown sugar and spiced pears that are complemented by a bold, spicy undertone. The finish is sweet and long, with touches of cloves and mushrooms. Glenmorangie Companta Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the fifth release in Glenmorangie's private edition collection. The previous release, Glenmorangie Ealanta, was named the World Whisky of the Year in 2013 by the Whisky Bible. Pick up a bottle today!