Glenmorangie 18 Year

18 years. Three Cask Matured. Glenmorangie — the most complex standard age-stated expression from Glenmorangie, matured across three distinct cask types — ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, and Burgundy wine casks — in the Highland distillery famous for operating the tallest pot stills in Scotland.

Glenmorangie's stills stand 5.14 meters tall — the height of a regulation basketball net — taller than virtually any other Scottish distillery's wash stills. The height forces the heavier, oilier spirit compounds to fall back down before reaching the neck, producing a lighter, more delicate new make spirit that takes particularly well to complex cask maturation. This is why Glenmorangie pioneered wine cask finishing in Scotch whisky in 1994 — the delicate spirit amplifies rather than competes with the cask's character.

The 18 Year adds Burgundy wine cask maturation to the bourbon and Oloroso combination of earlier expressions, producing the dried flower, stone fruit, and spice character that three diverse cask types develop over 18 years in the Highland climate.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Honey, flowers, light toffee, orange zest, fudge
• Palate: Burnt apple, candied nuts, dried fruit, vanilla, warming spice
• Finish: Long, complex, nutty and sweet

Specs

• Distillery: Glenmorangie, Tain, Ross-shire, Highland, Scotland
• Style: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Three Cask Matured
• Age: 18 years
• Casks: Ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry, Burgundy wine
• ABV: 43%
• Size: 750ml

Browse all Scotch whisky at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Glenmorangie's stills so tall?

The height forces heavier spirit compounds to fall back before reaching the neck, producing a lighter, more delicate new make than shorter stills would. This delicate character is specifically why Glenmorangie pioneered wine cask finishing in Scotch — the light spirit amplifies cask character rather than competing with it.

How does the 18 Year compare to Glenmorangie Signet also in the collection?

The 18 Year is an age-stated expression using three cask types for layered complexity. Signet is a non-age-statement expression using 'chocolate malt' barley (roasted to coffee intensity) alongside regular malt, creating a completely different, richer, more dessert-like profile.