Country: Scotland
Producer: Glenmorangie (LVMH)
Category: Single Malt
Age: NAS (Non Age Statement)
Barrel Type: Bourbon, Sherry and Mizunara
Alcohol Content: 46%
Size: 750ml
Level: Casual
Launched on the market in July 2023, A Tale of Tokyo is not merely a whisky; it's a collector's gem - a limited edition that captures a moment in time. The bottle, adorned with symbolic imagery and a nod to Japan's vibrant culture.
Conceptualized by Glenmorangie's Whisky Creation Director Dr. Bill Lumsden, he comments on this whisky: "I’m lucky to have travelled widely over the years sharing Glenmorangie around the world whilst also gathering new inspiration for whisky creations, and Tokyo has always been one of my favourite 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."
Obsessed with Mizunara and wondering what Glenmorangie would taste like matured in it, Lumsden began a years-long process of talking to Japanese wood sources and coopers to obtain the approximately 20 barrels of Mizunara he sought. In the end, it paid off: in 2016, heavily charred 250-liters hogshead barrels arrived. Some were filled with new spirit (aka unaged liquid) and the rest with a variety of mature Glenmorangie. They were matured for about five years, and that liquid became the heart of the recipe for what would become A Tale of Tokyo, although combined with classic Glenmorangie in American oak bourbon casks and French oak Oloroso sherry casks from Spain. Together, they became “very rounded, very balanced and quite harmonious... It picks up a bit of that funky, hairball, spicy furniture polish note from the Mizunara, but it's been taken off the edge with the classic Glenmorangie,” adds Lumsden..
But how do you capture the essence of a city in a whiskey? Well, his interpretation was to experiment with the rare Japanese oak barrels, Mizunara for the creation of this whiskey. As the official Glenmorangie site describes: "Dr. Bill combines whiskey partially matured at Mizunara with whiskey that has spent time in both sherry and bourbon casks, to create a unique limited edition that is perfectly balanced with the house style of Glenmorangie." - The result is quite interesting.
The bottle and box of this limited edition were designed by the artist Yamaguchi Akira 山口晃, renowned artist for combining oil painting with the traditional Japanese style. He's known for painting cityscapes from an eagle's eye point. Some of his most iconic works are found at Narita International Airport and the Tokyo subway station, Nihonbashi. The illustration on the box has as its central object the Seiko building in Ginza, Tokyo, as well as several subtly dispersed elements, from the Tokyo Tower, some barrels being transported, to the famous giraffe of the Glenmorangie distillery. Likewise, we could play, Where's Waldo? with some cameos from Lumsden among so many elements.
The illustration for A Tale of Tokyo captures Lumsden's fascination with the city, its bustling streets and tranquil gardens, with both urban and natural elements from Japan and Scotland. Now all that remains is to know if the Tokyo experience has also been captured in the form of whiskey for you. Write your opinion in the comments.
Tasting notes
Nose: Quite sweet and spicy (the pepper and clove stand out quite a bit), cherry, chocolate and orange peel. a little resin
Palate: From the aroma I imagine it to be more unctuous, although it maintains a silky sensation it is quickly overcome by the spices, we confirm the aroma notes, especially the orange and cherry (bitter), we add nuts, almond and a touch of vanilla that stands out among the sweet
Finish: Medium, sweet but quite spicy.
I think Tale of Tokyo is an interesting whiskey that communicates what it has to say, very good for casual drinkers. A little water especially highlights the note of resin and pepper on the nose and aftertaste. In the mouth it is sweeter and with greater alcoholic power.
My Rating:
I clasify whisky into 4 categories: Introdutory, Casual, Intermediate and Complex. and from there I rate each one acording to their aroma, palate, complexity and palatability
Level: Casual
Aroma: 4/5
Palate: 3/5
Complexity: 4/5
Palatability: 5/5
Overall Rating: 8/10
Sitio web oficial: https://www.glenmorangie.com/
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