Glenmorangie has released a trio of whiskies finished in wine casks. The Glenmorangie Pursuit of Passion Wine Cask Collection has been selected by master distiller Dr Bill Lumsden as a reflection of his interest in wine, and his experience in wood-finishing whisky.

Released as a set of three, the whiskies selected all have an age statement of more than 25 years, the majority of which time has been spent in their respective wine casks.

Lumsden commented: “My passion for single malt whisky is perhaps only matched by my passion for fine wine. And my travels through the world’s finest vineyards have inspired many experiments with finishing whisky in wine casks. Of all my experiments, the whiskies in our Pursuit of Passion Wine Cask Collection are among my most prized and delicious. With exceptionally long finishes in precious casks from some of France and Italy’s most renowned wine regions, I’m sure that their complexity will delight and intrigue lovers of both whisky and wine.”

The first is the Margaux Wine Cask Finish, a 29-year-old whisky distilled in the same month Lumsden joined Glenmorangie in his original role as distillery manager, February 1995. Initially aged in bourbon casks, the whisky was transferred to Margaux red wine casks in 2004 where it has matured for more than 20 years since. Glenmorangie says the result has flavours of chocolate, plums, and sweet chilli.

Also in the collection is the Corton-Charlemagne Wine Cask Finish, the only whisky of the trio finished in a white wine cask. Originally distilled in 1995 and aged in bourbon casks, the whisky was moved to the white Burgundy casks in 2005 as part of Glenmorangie’s first experiment with Corton-Charlemagne. Bottled at 28 Years Old after an 18-year finish, the distillery says the whisky has notes of jasmine, soft smoke, and clove.  

Similarly to the rest of the collection the Barbaresco Wine Cask Finish was distilled in 1996 and first aged in bourbon casks. This whisky was transferred to Barbaresco Italian red wine casks in 2005, again in the distillery’s first experiments with the cask type. The notes supplied by Glenmorangie indicate flavours of leather, rich spices, and eucalyptus.

The trio of wine cask whiskies is boxes together in an oak presentation case, the design of which reflects the three wine regions which the collection travels.

Lumsden's cask-finishing prowess has seen him recently collaborate with megastar Beyoncé Knowles-Carter on her new whisky brand SirDavis Whisky, which is finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. 

600 sets of the Pursuit of Passion Wine Cask Collection have been made, and will be available through limited outlets from autumn 2024, including Moët Hennessy’s Private Client channel, Glenmorangie’s boutique at Heathrow Airport, and the Glenmorangie distillery visitor centre. Registrations of interests can be made via Glenmorangie’s website.