Glenmorangie looks set to launch a new Wine Cask Collection of three whiskies, each respectively aged in casks from the most renowned wine regions in the world: Burgundy, Bordeaux and Piedmont. Titled the Pursuit of Passion, the new wine cask collection is an ode to the Glenmorangie Distillery's master distiller Dr Bill Lumsden, who counts wine and whisky as his two great loves. 

The first bottle in the collection is the Margaux, a 29-year-old whisky distilled in February 1995, the month that Dr Bill first joined Glenmorangie as a then-Distillery Manager. This expression was aged in bourbon casks before being transferred into red wine casks from Margaux, a renowned appelation in Bordeaux, France, where it sat for another 20 over years. This expression is said to carry intense flavors of chocolate, plums and sweet chilli. Margaux is bottled at 52.5% ABV. 

The second bottle in the collection is the Corton-Charlemagne, the sole whisky among the trio that is finished in white wine casks. Distilled in 1995, this whisky was first stored in bourbon casks before being transferred into white Burgundy casks in 2005 to age for 18 years. Each cask - all grand cru status - comes from the prestigious Corton-Charlemagne appellation in Burgundy, France. The result is said to produce notes of jasmine, clove and soft smoke. Corton-Charlemagne is bottled at 52.1% ABV. 

The third and final bottle in the collection is the Barbaresco, a 27 year old whisky distilled in 1995 and first laid down in bourbon casks. In 2005, the whisky was transferred in Italian red wine casks sourced from Barbaresco, in the renowned wine region of Piedmont. Finished in these casks for over 18 years, this whisky is said to be dry and rich with hints of leather, rich spices and eucalyptus. Barbaresco is bottled at 51.3% ABV. 

The Wine Cask Collection will be encased in a handmade oak presentation case, featuring marquetry design work on the back and sides of the box that reference the staves from which wine casks are made. Meanwhile, the front of the case evokes the different landscapes of the three individual wine regions, reflecting the flavour journies captured through each expression. 

Each set will retail for £7740 / 9 000€ with limited international availability from Autumn 2024 onwards. The Pursuit of Passion Wine Cask Collection will also be available at Glenmorangie’s Boutique at Heathrow Airport, Glenmorangie Distillery, and in selected retailers from October 2024. To register for priority access, click here. 

Kanpai! 

88 Bamboo Editorial Team