Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

Glenmorangie The Original 10 Year is the iconic flagship single malt from Glenmorangie Distillery, founded in 1843 in the Royal Burgh of Tain on the southern shore of the Dornoch Firth in Scotland's far Northern Highlands, and one of the most influential and beloved Highland single malt brands in the world. The Original is the backbone of the entire Glenmorangie range, distilled in Scotland's tallest copper pot stills (16 feet 10 inches tall, the height of a fully grown adult giraffe and the source of the famous Glenmorangie giraffe symbol). The extreme height of the stills ensures that only the lightest, most delicate vapors rise high enough to make it over the lyne arm and into the spirit, with heavier compounds falling back down for redistillation. The result is a notably smoother, more elegant, more floral new make spirit than virtually any other Highland malt distillery produces. The spirit is then matured for a full 10 years in a combination of first and second fill American white oak ex bourbon casks, including Glenmorangie's famous slow grown and air dried bespoke "designer casks" sourced from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri (where the lean limestone soil promotes very slow tree growth that concentrates vanillin in the wood, and two years of air drying breaks down the harsh tannins). Glenmorangie is credited with effectively inventing the modern category of "extra matured" or finished single malts in the 1980s and remains one of the most decorated single malt brands in the world. Bottled at 40% ABV in 750ml, this Original has been rated 94 points by Jim Murray's Whisky Bible for nine consecutive years and won the Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Famously crafted by the "Sixteen Men of Tain," the small dedicated team of distillery operators who personally oversee every stage of production.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Bright pale gold with sunflower yellow highlights, naturally light from the American white oak ex bourbon maturation.

Nose: Elegant and immediately welcoming, with soft vanilla, citrus, ripening peaches, honey, sweet orange, caramel, hazelnuts dipped in honey, red apple, gentle floral notes, and the unmistakable Glenmorangie signature of light fruit forward delicacy.

Palate: Smooth, soft, mellow, and creamy, with vanilla rippling across the palate, a burst of flowery fruitiness, red apple, rounded buttery character, hazelnuts in honey, more orange, gentle baking spice, and a perfect Glenmorangie balance between sweetness and complexity.

Finish: Clean and salving, with hints of orange and peach, vanilla, cocoa powder, light spice, and a hint of smoke, fading to a lingering elegant floral note that defines the Glenmorangie house style.

FAQ

Why are Glenmorangie's stills so tall? Glenmorangie's copper pot stills stand 16 feet 10 inches tall (5.14 meters), the tallest in all of Scotland and famously described as "as tall as a fully grown adult giraffe" (which is why a giraffe appears on the Glenmorangie logo and packaging). The original pair were reportedly repurposed from gin stills in the 19th century, and the extreme height has been preserved ever since as the defining feature of the distillery's house style. The height matters because as the alcohol vapor rises from the boiling wash inside the still, heavier compounds tend to fall back down before reaching the top, while only the lightest, most volatile, most delicate vapors complete the journey and exit through the lyne arm to be condensed. This natural reflux produces a notably smoother, more floral, more elegant new make spirit than shorter stills produce, and is the fundamental reason Glenmorangie tastes the way it tastes.

What are "designer casks"? Glenmorangie pioneered the concept of bespoke "designer casks" sourced from specific forests in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. The trees in this region grow extremely slowly because of the lean limestone heavy soil, which concentrates vanillin and other desirable wood compounds in the tight grain. After felling, the wood is air dried for two full years before cooperage, allowing the harsh aggressive tannins to break down naturally (rather than being kiln dried in days, which is the modern industry standard). The resulting casks are first filled with bourbon for several years, then shipped to Tain for Glenmorangie's maturation. The Original 10 contains an unusually high proportion of these designer casks compared to most other Scotch single malts, contributing significantly to the brand's signature vanilla, honey, and orchard fruit character.

Who are the "Sixteen Men of Tain"? The Sixteen Men of Tain are the small, dedicated team of distillery operators who hand craft every drop of Glenmorangie at the distillery in Tain. While Glenmorangie is one of the larger single malt producers in Scotland by volume, the entire production team has historically remained at just sixteen people (now slightly larger), each with deep multi generational ties to the distillery and the local community. The "Sixteen Men of Tain" appear in Glenmorangie marketing materials and on every bottle as a tribute to the human craft that anchors the brand's industrial scale production.

How should I drink Glenmorangie Original? Glenmorangie Original is one of the most versatile single malts in the world and rewards almost any serving approach. Neat in a Glencairn or tulip glass is the purist's choice and lets the elegant floral nose fully open. A single drop of cool water can soften the texture and amplify the orchard fruit aromatics. On the rocks works beautifully for casual drinking, with the ice gently muting some delicate top notes while letting the vanilla and citrus shine. Glenmorangie also actively markets The Original as the base for a "Glenmorangie Highball" (Glenmorangie Original plus chilled soda water and a twist of orange peel), which has become one of the most respected long drink presentations in modern whisky bartending.

Where can I buy Glenmorangie Original 10 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.