Glenmorangie Brings Spicy Twist To Its Single-Estate Whisky

by Gary Carter
May 5, 2023

Highland single malt maker Glenmorangie looks to share a bit of its homeland with the latest release in its Cadboll Estate series.

A statement from the whisky brand notes that this new expression is a field to glass creation from Glenmorangie, a limited-edition series that features whisky aged 15 years with a nutty and spicy flavor.

The namesake for this whisky, Glenmorangie’s Cadboll Estate, is a short ride from the distillery on Easter Ross peninsula, between the Moray Firth and the Dornoch Firth. The sparsely populated rural area is covered with barley fields and beaches.

Glenmorangie Cadboll Estate — Highland single malt maker Glenmorangie looks to share a bit of its homeland with the latest release in its Cadboll Estate series. (image via Glenmorangie)

Dr. Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s director of whisky creation, said that many years ago, he was inspired to share the essence of the whisky’s homeland more widely in a series of single-estate expressions. And that’s the genesis of The Cadboll Estate.

Lumsden explained that each release in the series begins in the distillery’s own barley fields located on the Cadboll Estate, planted and harvested to his specifications. This Cadboll barley is then mashed and distilled in Glenmorangie’s copper stills.

In this whisky, Lumsden said he figured out how to bring hints of nuts and spice to the spirit’s softness. With these flavors in mind, he selected new-make whisky from two separate barley harvests and aged it in American oak bourbon casks to enhance the creamy tones.

Then, he said, picturing notes of hazelnut, toffee and clove, he finished a small portion in casks which once held Amontillado, his favorite style of Sherry. After 15 years, Lumsden introduced these whiskies in this series’ third batch release, finding flavors of toffee and spice around honeysuckle, peaches and cream.

“Created at Glenmorangie from field to glass, our Cadboll Estate series captures the true essence of our Highland world for whisky lovers to experience, wherever they happen to be,” Lumsden said.