NEW GLENS FROM HTFW

 Glenfiddich - Grand Yozakura 29-year-old Whisky

A HARD-TO-FIND WHISKY SPECIAL

Awamori is the oldest distilled drink in Japan with a history that goes back over 600 years. Awamori means ‘Big Bubbles’ in Japanese, evidently something prominent during the fermentation process. This alcoholic beverage is indigenous and unique to Okinawa, Japan.

It originated from Southeast Asia, in the Kingdom of Siam (currently called Thaïland). This Okinawa alcohol is made from distilled thaï rice called indica, a long-grain rice. It is grown in Southeast Asia, where it comes from. It is also via this route that the first stills arrived in the Far East.

Production takes place in two phases: a fermentation of long grain rice that enables an 18 - 20% alcohol rate to be reached, then basic distilling that takes place in a traditional still. The fermentation process is very efficient and is the origin of the name Awamori. That name means ‘big bubbles’ in Japanese, which can be seen during this phase of production.

The island from where Awamori originated is called The Island of Yonaguni. It is the furthest island in the whole Japanese archipelago as it is situated 2000 km southeast of Tokyo, and only 100km from Taïwan! It belongs to the Kingdom of Ruykyu which regroups the islands that make a junction between Japan and the Chinese continent.

Grand Yozakura is that magical moment of fleeting beauty when Japanese cherry blossoms are admired under the light of the moon. Awamori from Okinawa is exquisite in its rarity and indelible in memory. It’s for this reason, that 29-year-old Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura is finished in these rare Awamori casks, to give an unforgettable taste.

A surge of ripe fruits and caramelised almonds fills the nose, before indulgent layers of toasted oak and creamy vanilla mingle with spice and sherbet rippling on the tongue. A final crescendo of oak on the finish lingers gracefully.

It’s delicate, distinctive and just like Yozakuru, once experienced it’s never forgotten.

DISTILLERY	GLENFIDDICH
Series	Grand
Year Bottled	2023
Age	29 year old
Alcohol ABV	45.1 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Type	Japanese Awamori
Single Cask	No
Packaging	Gift Packaging
Bottler	Distillery
Country Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level
HTFW Cat. No.	LP17882

                        Glenmorangie Extremely Rare 18-Yr-Old Azuma                                                                  Makoto Single Malt Scotch Whisky

                                 YET ANOTHER HARD-TO-FIND WHISKY SPECIAL

What images come to mind when you think of single malt Scotch whisky? Dark, smoky bars, the lush Scottish Highlands, or perhaps classic cut-crystal glasses? With a new limited-edition release in collaboration with floral artist Azuma Makoto, Glenmorangie turns the 'classic' image of Scotch upside down.

Makoto Azuma is a famous Japanese floral artist. This expression is a collaboration between Glenmorangie and the artist who was drawn to the whisky's floral profile.

"It begins with rich, rounded aromas of dried fruits and honey, then unfurls into a bouquet of geranium, tuberose and jasmine. They dance on the tongue with honeysuckle and sweet pea, figs and nuts until the blossoms fade into a sweet and lingering finish," says Azuma of the 18-year-old spirit.

In the world of whisky, change takes time. Dr Bill Lumsden said that he always wanted to change the 18 Years Old Single Malt, which he thought was too sherry-focussed and heavy. "I wanted the 18 Years Old, essentially, to be much more like the big brother of our 10 Years Old, our original," he said. "I wanted it to display the same level of complexity and finesse, but to be a little bit more full-bodied."

He first began experimenting with a new blend in the late 1990s, and we are just now beginning to see the full expression of his vision. This particular spirit ages for 15 years in ex-bourbon casks, then a portion is transferred to Oloroso sherry casks for three years. Finally, the whiskies were blended together and the stunning 18-year-old single malt bottled at 43% ABV.

The result is a whisky with a deep golden colour and a nose full of complex botanical and floral notes alongside dried fruits, nuts, caramel, vanilla, and honey. The 18-year-old is described as being the Chanel No.5 of malt whisky, given its beautiful perfume bouquet.

Glenmorangie scoured the world to find the right partner to tell the story of this floral fragrance. Its search ended in Japan at the door of botanical sculptor Azuma Makoto.

As Azuma Makoto translated the whisky’s delicious bourbon cask softness and sweet, Oloroso sherry cask hints, he drew on the beauty of almost 100 different blooms from across the world. He coaxed each one into blossom at his Tokyo studio for his floral masterpiece Dancing Flowers of Glenmorangie, which is shared in this wondrous limited edition.

The first 15 years were spent in bourbon casks, then a portion of the whisky was transferred into Oloroso sherry casks for another 3 years.

Both Makoto and Lumsden hope that this limited-edition release will delight whisky lovers and introduce whisky to a new audience. While Makoto is himself a whisky connoisseur, he learned quite a bit through the collaboration. "Before, I had an impression that whisky was kind of an exclusive drink. But after I worked with Dr. Bill Lumsden and through this collaboration, I found that whisky can be more free to enjoy," Makoto said.

Hopefully, as the world begins to open up even more, we'll be able to enjoy a dram of Glenmorangie 18 Year Old alongside Makoto's artwork in real life.

Glenmorangie 18 Years Old is priced at £249.95 and is available for purchase online and in stores.

DISTILLERY	GLENMORANGIE
Description	Azuma Makoto Ltd Edn
Year Bottled	2021
Age	18 year old
Alcohol ABV	43 %
Cask Strength	No
Cask Type	Bourbon & Oloroso
Single Cask	No
No. Bottled	30000
Packaging	Special Packaging
Bottler	Distillery
Country Origin	Scotland
Stopper	Cork
Bottle Type	Standard
Bottle Size	70cl
Neck Level	Full Level

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