Sips & Sites & Bites

Glenmorangie’s globe-trotting whisky creator, Dr. Bill Lumsden, is at it again … this time taking on the sensory contrasts of Tokyo, one of the world’s greatest cities.

In the new single malt “A Tale of Tokyo,” Glenmorangie has created a whisky full of bright, bold flavors and soft sweetness, reminiscent of Tokyo’s bustling city streets, quiet gardens and ancient customs juxtaposed with ultra-modernism.

Lumsden, in a statement from Glenmorangie, explained that he was inspired by the memories, feelings and flavors of his many visits to Tokyo and a desire to experiment with rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks for the first time.

He and the Glenmorangie team did so by creating a limited-edition expression characterized by unique opposites. The distiller describes the whisky’s flavor profile as pepper meets bitter cherries and coconut, as orange zest fuses with incense and sweet oak. On the finish are classic Glenmorangie flavors of mandarin, almond and marzipan. 

Some time ago, as Lumsden traveled through Japan to share the joy of Glenmorangie more widely, he said he wondered how he could create a single malt that encapsulated Tokyo’s contrasting delights, and what the influence of complex Japanese Mizunara oak might be on the Highland distillery’s light, floral character. 

Lumsden was able to source a small number of Mizunara casks, which are known for bringing a distinctive and unusual flavor to whisky. He balanced the resulting flavors from the Japanese oak with Glenmorangie aged in both bourbon and Sherry casks to create a balanced whisky that encapsulates the juxtapositions of Tokyo.

And to bring the vibrant inspiration and flavors of A Tale of Tokyo to life, Glenmorangie collaborated with Japanese artist Yamaguchi Akira, who created a playful perspective of the city’s rich layers of history and culture in an artwork that graces each bottle and its packaging. 

His trademark maximalist bird’s-eye view style blends with Glenmorangie’s technicolor palette, and highlights famed landmarks and characteristics from both Tokyo and the Highland Distillery, as well as traditional Japanese pastimes with nods to the whisky’s flavors. 

“I’m lucky to have traveled widely over the years sharing Glenmorangie around the world whilst also gathering new inspiration for whisky creations,” Lumsden said. “And Tokyo has always been one of my favorite places. 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.”

He said he partly matured a proportion of Glenmorangie spirit in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks, which he’s 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,” Lumsden added. 

Artist Yamaguchi Akira said, “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.”

Lumsden’s tasting notes on A Tale of Tokyo show that the bronze-colored liquid clocks in at 46% ABV. On the nose, it is powerfully herbal with hints of toffee contrasted by incense and saddle-soap, followed by a resinous note and a touch of cedar wood.

On the palate, it has a peppery mouthfeel that leads into notes of tangy oranges and bitter cherries alongside fennel and chewy oak. It finishes long and gently nutty, with hints of almond, mandarin, ground white pepper and more wood resin.

A Tale of Tokyo has a suggested retail price of $109.99. For more information about Glenmorangie or to find out how to get a bottle, check out www.glenmorangie.com.