 COOPERS CRAFT The nature and history of the wood in which whisky matures has a fundamental influence on the flavour and character of the ultimate spirit. At Glenmorangie we pursue the most rigorous 'wood regime', to maintain the highest quality. We select our own standing oak trees in the Ozark Mountains, fell them at around 100 years of age (under the strict guidance of the Missouri Department of Conservation) and air-dry the staves for up to eighteen months. The casks are made on site to our specification, then taken to Kentucky where they are filled with bourbon and set aside to mature for four years.
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Bourbon seasons the wood, releasing its natural sweetness and absorbing
undesirable elements. Such bourbon casks will not mask the true character
and subtle flavour of Glenmorangie during the long years of maturation.
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Maturation Unlike many distilleries our location is coastal and our climate temperate, so Glenmorangie is able to mature gently and at a steady pace. It endures none of the wild temperature swings of the upland distilleries.
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Most of our warehouses are of the old style: low and stone-built over
one hundred years ago, with earthen floors permeated by fresh salty air
blowing in from the North Sea. While the spirit sleeps it 'breathes'
through the cask, mellowing and absorbing subtle flavours from the wood,
expelling harsher spirits to the atmosphere.
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| As the spirit matures each cask loses volume at the rate of about 2% per annum - over 45 litres in 10 years! This is known, with some affection, as the Angels' Share - but here, at least, we flatter ourselves that the heavenly host have put back quality where they have removed volume. Go on to The Tasting Room | |
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