Glenmorangie Lasanta: better with age
The same distinctive flavour but with three additional years of layered complexity – we learn how Glenmorangie took Lasanta from great to exceptional.
It’s a bold move to take a globally loved Scotch whisky like Glenmorangie Lasanta and revamp the recipe. The Highland single malt is a firm favourite with Scotch lovers worldwide. However, if you know anything about Glenmorangie, this is not a brand to rest on its laurels. Even the greatest whiskies in its portfolio remain open to improvements and reinterpretations – and head of whisky creation Dr Bill Lumsden is confident whisky lovers will be delighted with the result.
He and master blender Gillian Macdonald believed they could take Glenmorangie Lasanta to new levels of flavour complexity. As such, they decided to age the whisky for three years longer, and to refine the cask recipe to deliver more balanced layers of flavour.
The whisky begins as a deliciously fruity new-make spirit, born from the Highland distillery’s famously tall stills that tower like a giraffe. From there, Bourbon casks are used to bring Glenmorangie’s signature soft elegance to the liquid, while oloroso Sherry casks offer rich sweetness and spice. The resultant liquid boasts flavours of raisins, honey, toffee, clove, and cinnamon.
“With its rich spice and luscious sweetness, Glenmorangie Lasanta is a whisky that elicits the radiant wonder of sunset and has been a favourite of Glenmorangie fans for some time,” notes Dr Lumsden.
“Now aged for 15 years in an enhanced selection of Bourbon and oloroso Sherry casks, we’ve introduced even more complex and elegant notes to this whisky, all working together in delicious balance.”
Master of maturation
Glenmorangie is extremely skilful when it comes to cask maturation. The distillery was at the forefront of the cask-finishing movement, first dabbling in wood finishing 40 years ago.
As well as Glenmorangie Lasanta, the brand’s core range includes Quinta Ruban, finished in Port casks, and The Nectar, finished in dessert wine casks. Dr Lumsden and his team recently reimagined its flagship whisky, Glenmorangie The Original, from a 10-year-old favourite to a 12-year-old masterpiece.
Glenmorangie Lasanta 15 Years Old is available to purchase in the UK via Glenmorangie.com, from the distillery visitor centre in Tain, and from select retailers, for an RRP of £54.
Related news
Glenmorangie and Harrison Ford illuminate Scottish highlands
Glenmorangie: drinkers more ‘occasion-specific’ than brand loyal
