Glenmorangie has unveiled the latest addition to its A Tale of… series, Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo. The latest whisky in the collection combines bright, bold flavors with soft sweetness and is a single malt “as full of delicious sensory contrasts as Tokyo itself,” says the press release.
Inspired by the memories, feelings and flavors of Dr Bill Lumsden many visits to Tokyo and a desire to experiment with rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks for the first time, the Scotch’s creator created a limited-edition expression characterized by opposites. In its flavor profile, pepper meets bitter cherries and coconut, as orange zest fuses with incense and sweet oak. On the finish, classic Glenmorangie flavors of mandarin, almond, and marzipan can be detected.
To create Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo, Lumsden combined Glenmorangie aged in Mizunara casks with whisky aged in both bourbon and sherry casks to create a balanced expression that encapsulates the juxtapositions of Tokyo.
To bring the vibrant inspiration and flavors of A Tale of Tokyo to life, Glenmorangie collaborated with Japanese artist Yamaguchi Akira, who has created his own playful perspective of the city’s rich layers of history and culture in an artwork which adorns each bottle and its packaging. Uniting his trademark maximalist bird’s-eye view style with Glenmorangie’s technicolor palette, it juxtaposes famed landmarks and characteristics from both Tokyo and the Highland Distillery, as well as traditional Japanese pastimes with nods to the whisky’s flavors. From the Tokyo Tower and Ueno Park to Glenmorangie’s giraffe-high stills and lush Mizunara oak trees, there are many intricate, hidden discoverables in his work, including several Dr Bill figures peppered throughout.
“I’m lucky to have travelled widely over the years sharing Glenmorangie around the world whilst also gathering new inspiration for whisky creations, and Tokyo has always been one of my favourite places,” said Lumsden. “I’m fascinated by the contradictions between its bustling streets and tranquil gardens, ancient and modern buildings, its many sensory experiences and its culture. My time there over the years made me wonder whether I could capture my experience of Tokyo, and these beautiful intricacies, in whisky form.
“I partly matured a proportion of Glenmorangie spirit in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks, which I’ve been curious to experiment with for some time. The influence of this wood is incredibly complex and unusual; it required balance and softening with Glenmorangie matured in bourbon and sherry casks, and the result is a dram as full of delicious sensory contrasts as a trip to Tokyo.”
Yamaguchi Akira added: “It’s been a joy to collaborate with Glenmorangie to bring Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo to life through my art. The idea of my residing home conjures up so many different thoughts and feelings, and my work reflects Tokyo’s contrasts in many ways. Incorporating hints about Glenmorangie and its whisky really appealed to my sense of playfulness.”
Bottled at 46% ABV, Glenmorangie A Tale of Tokyo is priced at £76 ($93 USD).
To explore Yamaguchi Akira’s full artwork as well as a range of cocktail serves inspired by A Tale of Tokyo, head over to the brand’s official website.
Previous releases in the A Tale Of… series include A Tale of the Forest, A Tale of Winter, and A Tale of Cake with Dominique Ansel.