The latest expression in Glenmorangie’s Barrel Select series is a new foray for the distillery, as its first release finished in French Calvados casks. Lending the 12-year-old single malt a fruity and floral character, the casks were chosen for the soft, orchard notes of Calvados.

Glenmorangie’s Barrel Select series explores the different flavours imparted by different cask finishes, and previous releases from the series include Amontillado and Cognac cask finishes.

Led by director of whisky creation Dr Bill Lumsden, the Glenmorangie team experimented by taking a whisky which had spent more than 10 years ageing in American white oak bourbon casks and transferring it into casks which had held Calvados du Pays d’Auge, from Normandy, and giving it a carefully judged finish.

Dr Lumsden says: “At Glenmorangie, we are always experimenting with ways to create delicious whiskies. Since Calvados casks have never been used before at Glenmorangie, I was intrigued to see how their elegant, orchard notes would complement our whisky’s award-winning fruity style, with a judicious finish.

“Glenmorangie Calvados Finish is a wonderful addition to our Barrel Select Release series of small-batch single malts. Entwining scents of baked pears, vanilla and jasmine with tastes of toffee apples, lemon balsam and spice, this rare whisky takes all that is good about Glenmorangie, to richly delicious new heights.”

Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish is now available exclusively in the UK at glenmorangie.com.