Glenmorangie Allta No. 10

Country: Scotland

Region: Highlands

Producer: Glenmorangie (LVHM)

Category: Single Malt

Age: NAS (Non Age Statement)

Barrel Type: Bourbon 1st & 2nd fill

Alcohol Content: 51.2% (102.4 proof)

Size: 750ml

Level: Casual

Commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Private Edition series, Glenmorangie Allta was launched in 2019. This range has traditionally featured various whiskeys with barrel combinations and malt types. This time, the innovation lies in a less conspicuous but essential ingredient for the creation of any spirit: yeast.

The brand presents this whisky as a creation inspired by Dr. Bill Lumsden’s walks through the fields near the distillery while collecting grain samples. Upon discovering that barley fed a previously unidentified species of wild yeast (now known as Saccharomyces diaemath), he set out to create this whisky aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Numerous second-fill barrels were used to enhance its profile to accentuate the yeast notes. Glenmorangie Allta (which means “wild” in Scottish Gaelic and is pronounced “Al-Ta”) celebrates the importance of yeast in the myriad flavors of Scotch whisky.

Saccharomyces Diaemath

The story of this yeast begins with samples collected around the distillery, later the samples were sent to Lallemand, a company specialized in the design, development and production of yeasts, and other microorganisms, for analysis. Once identified and isolated, three or four viable yeast strains for whisky were found.

One strain was selected and cultured from the sample into nine tons of yeast. The distillery named it Saccharomyces Diaemath. “Dia e math,” which is Gaelic for “God is good.” I understand that the name refers to an ancient phrase that brewers and bakers used before it was known how yeast worked, it was assumed that it was the work of God.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Shortbread, orange peel, green apple and mandarin.

Taste: Medium-bodied, slightly waxy, sweet, and herbal (basil), malt, and spices.

Aftertaste: Straw, warm, slightly astringent, herbal, and sweet.

As this is a whisky with over 50% ABV, upon opening the bottle, we find a pronounced acetone note, which diminishes over time.

Incidentally, while researching this review, I found a Glenmorangie press release dated March 21, 2019, which states: “Dr. Bill recalls a story known to only a few, in which the great whisky writer Michael Jackson alludes to the unique and exceptional yeast that grows inside the Glenmorangie distillery. Inspired by this story, Dr. Bill began to explore in depth the influence of yeast on the flavor of whisky.”

This statement caught my attention, and I looked for the Michael Jackson books I own. I did not find a direct allusion to the Glenmorangie distillery and yeast in his books, but I did find some mentions of wild yeast, such as the one he makes in his book Malt Whisky Companion, where he mentions the process of heather pollination during spring in the surroundings of the Highland Park distillery.

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/