Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 Kicks Off Whisky Vintage Collection

Scotland’s well regarded Glenmorangie distillery is looking to go vintage with some of its Scotch whisky, unveiling recently Bond House No. 1, a new collection that’s dated to went it was distilled. The first bottling in this new line up is called Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990.

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990, according to the distillery, is so named for a couple of reasons. First off its bonded warehouse No. 1, for which the greater collection was named, was transformed that year into Glenmorangie’s new still house, complete with their copper stills which are said to be the tallest in Scotland.

Another reason for the selection of 1990 is because the barley harvest from the previous summer had apparently proved problematic for whisky distilleries that year. Glenmorangie reportedly was only able to produce a small amount of new-make spirit, some of which resulted in this particular 25 year old offering that was aged in select ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

“The Bond House No. 1 collection gives connoisseurs a unique opportunity to explore the individuality each year has lent our award-winning spirit,” said Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, in a prepared statement. “I’m delighted that Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 will launch the collection. Even today, few can explain how a spirit so delicious could emerge from a barley crop of such challenges.”

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990 is bottled at 43% ABV and prices around £495, or a little over $600 USD. Official tasting notes for it can be found below for your consideration.

• Nose: The aroma is a veritable cornucopia of heady floral and fruity notes; heather honey, honeysuckle and freesia mingled with orange blossom, candied fruits, mandarin, pear and apple. This complex bouquet is supplemented by a pungent, distinctive note of beeswax.
• Taste: The mouthfeel is silky, creamy and mouth coating, delightfully mellow and gentle. This leads into succulent, sweet flavours of orange syrup, puff candy, honeycomb, vanilla, and some zesty, herbal top notes of gooseberry and menthol.
• Finish: The fruitiness continues with baked apples and pears, then there are some deeper notes of brown sugar, malty/biscuit flavours and the gentlest hint of clove and oak tannin on the finish.