For over 175 years, whisky creators at Glenmorangie have been on a quest to create infinitely adventurous varieties of single malt. Driven by a mission to bring delicious new flavours to the world, Dr. Bill Lumsden, the brand’s director of whisky creation, has turned every fascination into fine whisky—be it the magic of a snowy day (Glenmorangie A Tale of Winter), the celebratory joy of cake (Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake), or an aromatic cup of coffee (Glenmorangie Signet).
Constantly enchanted by the sights, sounds and scents of the lively forest near his home, Dr. Lumsden has long sought to pay homage to these sensorial delights and bring them to life in a whisky. His musings have culminated in the first ever Glenmorangie whisky crafted from barley kilned with woodland botanicals—the amber-hued Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest. A first of its kind, this limited edition single malt puts herbaceous flavours on full display, entwined with Glenmorangie’s signature citrus notes.
Taking cues from the way ancient Highland whisky makers used moss, fallen trees, heather and other kinds of fuel found in the forest to dry their barley, Dr. Lumsden experimented with different types of botanicals to kiln his grain, before finally settling on juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers, married with a little peat.
The result is a bold spirit with a unique flavour profile boasting the rare aromas of pine needles, coriander and juniper, laced with wisps of smoke. Bottled at 46 percent ABV, the whisky was aged in ex-bourbon barrels for several years to allow its flavours to shine further.
“Every time I go into the woods where I live, I notice something new—from the fragrance of the previous night’s rainfall to the soothing sound of leaves rustling. A Tale of the Forest is a whisky that will surround, delight and surprise you in the same way, whether you enjoy it deep in a forest or in cocktails at home,” says Dr. Lumsden.
“Being in a forest is all about the senses—what you see, what you hear and what you smell”
Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest begins with a hint of sweet malt on the nose, with distinctively sharp botanical top notes such as juniper, coriander, damp woodland, pine needles, nettle and mint, complemented by a whisper of smoke. On the palate, expect a zesty, peppery mouthfeel leading into a flavour explosion of peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus, pine, wood sap, angelica, bitter orange and intense woodsmoke—before a beautifully creamy and lingering finish is elevated with tangy citrus notes and a soft hint of oak.
To enhance the whisky’s wooded depths, Glenmorangie has tapped Thai illustrator Pomme Chan to produce the fantastical forest imagery seen on the whisky’s packaging. Taking inspiration from the surroundings of her favourite forest in northern Thailand, Chan depicts her own interpretation of the single malt in technicolour, combining hand-drawn images with digital techniques to illustrate the whisky’s key botanicals and flavour profile.
“To me, being in a forest is all about the senses—what you see, what you hear and what you smell. Through my illustration, I wanted to convey the mysterious depth of the forest environment, inviting fine whisky connoisseurs to envision themselves enjoying Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest on a hike or picnic against a forest backdrop,” Chan concludes.
Indeed, in all of its many facets, Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is connected to nature in a way few other spirits can be. If a forest seems too distant, invite a bit of nature into your own home with a swirl of the golden liquid. Perfect for clinking glasses with on an intimate dinner date, bringing along as a coveted gift to festive gatherings, or even pouring out as an indulgent sip for a tasting session for one—this is a whisky that unlocks the power of imagination.
Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is available exclusively at specialist stores Asher BWS and Le Vigne only, at a retail price of $188 (inclusive of GST). Visit Glenmorangie.com to see Pomme Chan’s artwork and discover a selection of botanical Glenmorangie cocktails created by renowned Swedish forager and mixologist Emil Åreng.
