The Gen XY Lifestyle
The Glenomorangie With a Little Spice
The Glenmorangie Private Edition Spios is a unique whisky: it has been matured entirely in ex-rye whiskey casks.
Rye whiskey may not be as well-known as its bourbon counterparts but it preceded bourbon and you could say that it was the quintessential American whiskey. These days it is making a comeback and it’s rather appropriate that the new Private Edition from Glenmorangie is in essence, a tribute to this resurging spirit.
The Private Edition is also a showcase for the various facets of the Glenmorangie spirit, often through maturation in interesting casks or experiments, which can range from the likes of Sassicaia casks (Artein), Malmsey Madeira casks (Bacalta), and even Maris Otter barley (Tusail).
Spios, which is Gaelic for spice, and alludes to one of the most definitive characteristics of rye whiskey. The story of Spios dates back to the 1990s, when Dr Lumsden was then Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks. When travelling in the United States, he became acquainted with rye whiskey and was quite taken by its cinnamon and clove notes. He liked how unique rye whiskey was despite its similarity to bourbon, and he had the foresight to procure some of the best ex-rye whiskey casks from Kentucky, believing that the subtleties of rye would be a great fit for the Glenmorangie.
Dr Lumsden added: “I have always loved American rye whiskey’s spicy character, and I believed our Distillery’s smooth house style would perfectly complement the nuances of ex-rye casks. The result is Glenmorangie Spìos – a full-bodied, savoury single malt whisky which brings to mind American rye whiskey’s golden age. Its fresh, herbal nose hints at cherry, clove and scents of green grass. Then rye’s spice bursts on to the palate, as toffee, clove and cinnamon mingle with buttery vanilla, before a sweet and lingering finish. I hope connoisseurs and collectors will enjoy this latest innovative release in our Private Edition – a single malt whisky which is unmistakeably Glenmorangie, yet exquisitely different.”
The Glenmorangie Private Edition Spios will be available from S$240 at The Whisky Distillery @ ION Orchard, The Whisky Distillery @ OUE Downtown Gallery, Le Vigne and all major whisky specialist stores.
Official Tasting Notes
Colour Straw gold
Nose Fresh, herbal and perfumed, hints of cherry, clove and mint toffee, with some green grassy notes. A splash of water releases more perfumed, ‘ethereal’ notes, crisp, clean and fresh, with myriad herbal notes.
Taste Spicy texture, lots of toffee, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet, buttery vanilla.
Finish Rich, sweet and lingering, with more fudge, toffee, brazil nut and tangy citrus.
The Glenmorangie Spìos is non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV.
