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 |
