The north Highland distillery of Glenmorangie has released a new limited edition single malt in collaboration with Hollywood legend Harrison Ford. The release is part of the brand’s ongoing partnership with the actor. The Glenmorangie Harrison Ford Edition saw Ford working alongside Dr. Bill Lumsden MBE, the Director of Whisky Creation at Glenmorangie, and has been crafted to fit both of their tastes.
Glenmorangie was founded in 1843 by William Matheson and is in the north Highland town of Tain. The distillery was originally named Morangie, becoming Glenmorangie in 1887. It is large with an annual production capacity of 7.1 million litres. The stills are the tallest in Scotland standing at over five metres (16.5 feet) – the same height as an adult male giraffe. It also uses the hardest water of any Scotch whisky distillery in production, which comes from the nearby Tarlogie Springs. The distillery and brand are owned by Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey.
The new whisky has united classic ex-bourbon cask-aged Glenmorangie with a parcel of rare whisky finished in toasted ex-red wine casks sourced from Portugal. It is bottled at 46.5% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. The exact number of bottles has not been revealed but they are available now via glenmorangie.com, at the distillery visitor centre in the Highlands and through specialist whisky retailers globally. A bottle will cost £75/ €85/ US$100.
It’s nice. It’s very nice.
Harrison Ford.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is a deep coppery gold and the nose is rich, luscious and fruity. Aromas of baked apple, icing sugar coated raspberry, candied orange peel lead the way and are supported by vanilla custard, milk chocolate and a hint of fresh apricot. A dusting of baking spice is also evident, as is a hint of mocha. Something floral and elegant sits in the background, which is most reminiscent of jasmine.
On the palate this whisky feels creamy and decadent. Unlike the nose, oak is present straight off the bat – this grips the tastebuds and adds a warmth and dryness with time. Then come the luscious fruitiness experienced when smelling – the soft baked apple, the confected fresh raspberry and juicy, fresh apricot. These are all backed up with further notes of vanilla custard and brown sugar, which when combined are reminiscent of a good crème brûlée.
Milk chocolate, plus hints of coffee grounds and a dusting of cocoa add further depth and complexity. The same can be said for a plethora of citrus peel that evolves – think of bitter orange and pink grapefruit in particular. The baking spice again begins to build giving the whisky a lovely warmth and glow – think of cinnamon and clove with a pinch of white pepper. The oaky dryness returns to round things off.
The finish is long and delicious. It makes you want to take another sip. The fruit and sweeter elements slowly fade and this leave the oak tannins and warming spice to take hold. The combination is mouth watering and a delight. A creamy hard toffee note develops right at the close.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a delicious whisky that Glenmorangie have created to celebrate their partnership with Harrison Ford. The actor is a legend and this whisky could quickly become something similar. A cult favourite that people will talk about in years to come, so to speak.
The lovely balance of fruit, sweetness and citrus is a triumph and everything is accentuated by the brooding oak and baking spices. The use of ex-bourbon casks, which always allow the elegant Glenmorangie spirit to shine, plus those ex-Portuguese red wine barrels has been balanced very well. We agree with Ford – it’s nice. It’s very nice.
