Glenmorangie 18 Years Old’s limited edition Azuma Makoto design

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old has a fragrant nose. It is a bouquet of jasmine, geranium and narcissus. This has inspired a unique collaboration with botanical sculptor Azuma Makoto. Comparing the Highland single malt’s floral notes to a flower in bloom, Azuma has created a limited-edition design. The design showcases his piece Dancing Flowers of Glenmorangie at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery's. This moving sculpture features 100 different blooms, reimagining the whisky through flowers. You can see the piece at Saatchi's Late openings, from 6-9pm, on Thursdays September 23 and 30.

When he tasted Glenmorangie 18, Azuma Makoto was struck by how the whisky’s floral notes danced on the tongue. Delighting in its notes of honeysuckle, sweet pea, jasmine and geranium, he translated the whisky’s flavours into flowers. First sketching his ideas, Azuma then created a floral artwork in his studio, in Tokyo, Japan. Made of 100 blooms, it includes those he scented with whisky, Scottish blooms and flowers from places where Glenmorangie is enjoyed. Azuma then drifted petals, confetti-like, over the work as it was photographed. His sculpture, Dancing Flowers of Glenmorangie, is showcased on the whisky’s giftbox and labels.

Azuma's sculpture at Saatchi Gallery follows the partnership with the art platform and its support of the RHS Botanical Art & Photography Show 2021. Glenmorangie 18 Years Old is one of Glenmorangie’s top single malts, enjoyed by whisky lovers old and new. It begins with their delicate, fruity spirit, crafted in tall stills to allow more space for taste and aroma. Next they age this spirit in bourbon casks for 15 years. They transfer part into Oloroso sherry casks for three more years. After 18 years, these casks are reunited to create the final single malt whisky.

Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Official Tasting Notes:

• Colour: Deep gold. Rich and full.
• Nose: Rich, rounded and sweet with dried fruits and a complex floral fragrance. Nutty, caramel and vanilla overtones followed by walnuts, honeycomb and dates. Complex floral notes emerge with geranium, jasmine and narcissus. With water, deep oak notes appear, revealing a balsamic character, softened by vanilla. The hallmark Glenmorangie fruity complexity emerges. Rich apricots and dates, interwoven with hazelnuts.
• Palate: The mouthfeel is silky, smooth and rounded with a full flavour. The taste is balanced between honey, malt and flowery scents, followed by hazelnuts and walnuts. Dates and figs emerge in the background with a hint of wood smoke.
• Finish: The finish is long and enticing. Sweetness of dried fruit and subtle dryness of Oloroso nuttiness.

Bill Lumsden is Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation. He said: “Azuma Makoto’s stunning work translates the sweet, floral lushness of Glenmorangie 18 Years Old. His limited-edition design brings to mind the whisky’s scents of geranium, tuberose and jasmine, and tastes of honeysuckle and sweet pea, figs and nuts. Since it looks as wonderful as it tastes, this limited edition is sure to delight whisky lovers old and new.”

Azuma Makoto said: “When I first tasted Glenmorangie 18 Years Old, each sip of the whisky unfurled as if it was a flower in bloom. I could taste so many blossoms dancing on my tongue. I was inspired to reimagine the whisky in Dancing Flowers of Glenmorangie. I hope that through this design, my work brings as much joy as the delicious tastes which inspired it.”

You can buy Glenmorangie 18 Years Old’s limited edition Azuma Makoto design from 1st November. It's bottled at 43% and priced at around £100.