Glenmorangie Distillery
Tain, Ross-shire
History: Today, Glenmorangie is owned by Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, who have helped make the brand one of the world's best-selling single malts. The whisky has a rich history stretching back to 1843. The distillery was purchased by its main customer, the Leith firm Macdonald and Muir, in 1918, and the Macdonald family retained control of the company for almost 90 years. Glenmorangie produces around 10 million bottles every year, over half of which are sold in the UK.
The whisky: The Glenmorangie stills are the tallest and most beautiful in Scotland, and are based on second-hand gin stills which the founder purchased in 1843. These tall stills ensure only the lightest and purest alcohol vapours make it to the top and condense into spirit. This, combined with using some of the best casks to be found, creates a light and fruity house style. The range spans from The Original to the Glenmorangie 1963, which sells for around £1,750 a bottle.
Favourite tipple: If you want bang for your buck then I would go for the Quinta Ruban 12-year-old, which has spent 10 years maturing in American white oak casks before being transferred into specially selected ruby port pipes from the Quintas or wine estates of Portugal. It has bold flavours of dark chocolate and spice, all for around £50 a bottle.
Why visit? There are lots of interactive and educational sections de-signed for you to get the most from your visit. Regular tours start at 10.30am and the last tour is one hour before closing. It is open all year, Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm.
Interesting fact: Unusually for a whisky, the water used in the production at Glenmorangie is is hard water taken from the Tarlogie Springs. Most distilleries use soft water, which is thought to produce the best spirit, but Glenmorangie say their mineral-rich water contributes to the deliciously fresh and delicate character of the spirit.
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