Glenmorangie launches Moscatel Cask Single Malt

Glenmorangie has released a limited-edition single malt whisky matured in Moscatel dessert wine casks, available exclusively to whisky drinkers in Australia and New Zealand. The expression, titled Glenmorangie 13 Year Old Moscatel Cask, has been created in partnership with The Whisky Club and will not see a wider global release.

Owned by Moët Hennessy, the Highland distillery developed the whisky from a previously undisclosed parcel of casks, marking the first time Moscatel dessert wine casks were filled at Glenmorangie. The spirit was distilled in 2009 as part of a one-off pilot programme designed to explore new directions for the distillery’s Nectar d’Or style, now released as The Nectar 16 Year Old.

Although labelled as a 13-year-old whisky, much of the liquid is approaching 16 years of age, following an extended seven-year secondary maturation in Moscatel casks. The whisky has been bottled non-chill filtered, with no added colour, at 48.2 percent ABV.

The Moscatel cask influence brings pronounced dessert wine characteristics to Glenmorangie’s house style, with flavour notes including strawberry cream, chocolate orange, vanilla custard, baked apple, dark spice and subtle floral elements.

The limited release will be made available exclusively to members of The Whisky Club in Australia and New Zealand from 9 January, priced at AU$150. No further releases of this experimental cask style are planned.