Glenmorangie Takes a Bold Step Forward: Introducing the New 12-Year-Old Original

When I think of Glenmorangie, I think of a brand that’s always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with single malt scotch. And now, they’ve done it again, upgrading their flagship Original expression from 10 to 12 years old. The result is a whisky that’s smoother, creamier, and more complex than ever before.

According to the Glenmorangie Whisky Creation Team, the decision to age the whisky for an extra two years was a no-brainer. In a series of taste experiments, they compared the 10-year-old Original to one that had been aged for 12 years, and the results spoke for themselves. The extra two years added an extra layer of silkiness and sweetness, elevating the whisky to new heights.

The Glenmorangie Whisky Creation Team, led by Director of Whisky Creation Bill Lumsden, is always looking for ways to innovate and improve their whiskies.

The new Glenmorangie Original 12 Year Old boasts notes of orange, honey, vanilla, and peach, with a depth and complexity that’s hard to find in other whiskies at this price point. And the critics agree - the whisky recently took home a gold medal at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards.

The Glenmorangie Original 12 Year Old, now available at Glenmorangie.com and the Distillery Visitor Centre.

But what does it mean to upgrade a flagship expression like the Original? For Bill Lumsden, it’s all about staying true to the spirit of the brand while continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

“I’ll never forget my first magical sip of Glenmorangie, and how I became beguiled by its complex range of flavors. During my many years at Glenmorangie, I have always aimed to keep the whisky true to my memory of that first taste. However, recently my team and I started to wonder whether we could reimagine our flagship expression, The Original, for even more deliciousness. The result is The Original 12 Years Old! Smoother, creamier and even more complex, I like to think it ’turns up the volume’ on our signature whisky’s classic notes of orange, vanilla, peach and honey.”

The art of whisky-making is all about patience, waiting for the perfect moment to bottle the perfect dram.

The Glenmorangie Original 12 Year Old is now available via Glenmorangie.com and the Distillery Visitor Centre for an RRP of £40 (~$52). If you’re a fan of Glenmorangie or just looking to try something new, this is definitely a whisky worth checking out.