Glenmorangie partners with botanical artist

Scotch brand Glenmorangie has created a limited edition single malt in collaboration with Azuma Makoto.

Glenmorangie Dr Bill Lumsden x Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old is inspired by the Japanese concept of ‘shinra bansho’, which represents all of nature – ‘the ground, the sky and everything in between’. To celebrate ‘nature in all its forms’, Lumsden combined single malts aged in Bourbon and Chardonnay white wine casks. The latter are sourced from the Meursault appellation in Burgundy and mark the first time Glenmorangie have used such casks. The expression is said to have ‘notes of moss dampened by rainfall, burning oak and earthy scents of the forest floor’. To accompany the whisky, Makoto has created a piece of botanical art that features on its packaging. The piece features orchids, roses and Scottish wildflowers interwoven with tree bark, roots and moss. Lumsden said: “Our collaboration with Azuma Makoto is a delicious celebration of nature’s wonder. “Including our first whisky finished in Chardonnay casks from Burgundy, this 23-year-old single malt encapsulates nature in all its forms, through notes of lemon balsam, poached pears and cocoa powder layered on the oaky, earthy tones of the forest floor. “Azuma-san’s stunning sculpture, featured on the whisky’s packaging, evokes the fragrant scents and elemental depths of this extraordinarily rare whisky – a gift from nature itself.” The whisky will be available in select prestige retailers in the UK, China, Japan, Taiwan, India and the USA for an RRP of £1,050 (US$1,331.96). Makoto added: “I was honoured to partner with Dr Bill for this special celebration of shinra bansho. My sculpture is a response to my view of earth’s blessings – my sense of gratitude for nature – and for the flavour of the Highlands, expressed deliciously in Dr Bill’s whisky.” Last month Glenmorangie has unveiled the fourth whisky in its field-to-glass series The Cadboll Estate. The brand also recently released a single malt matured in three different casks: Bourbon, new charred oak and rye whiskey.