Today marks the launch of Glenmorangie’s fifth Private Edition bottling known as ‘Companta.’ Glenmorangie’s renowned Director of Whisky Creation and Distilling, Dr. Bill Lumsden, has achieved a refined balance between bold spice and rich, smooth sweetness with this new expression born of Grand Cru casks from Clos de Tart and decadently sweet fortified wine from Cotes du Rhone. Glenmorangie Companta (Scots Gaelic for friendship or sociable) celebrates the shared pursuit of perfection between Glenmorangie and renowned French wine makers.
“As a true wine aficionado, some of my most memorable visits have been to France. The smaller vineyards work tirelessly to produce the very best wine, their dedication and attention to detail never ceases to amaze me. In the same spirit as Glenmorangie, they stop at nothing in the pursuit of perfection. This shared philosophy inspired me to create the ultimate tribute to my longstanding love for French vineyards and the friends that I’ve had the pleasure to make throughout my travels,” explained Dr. Lumsden.
“Selecting parcels of Glenmorangie which had been matured in traditional American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, I transferred the spirit into casks having previously contained Grand Cru wine from Clos de Tart, one of the most celebrated vineyards in Burgundy.”
“To complement the bold, spicy character imparted from the Grand Cru casks, I selected a parcel of Glenmorangie which had been extra maturing in casks having previously contained a lusciously sweet fortified wine from Cotes du Rhone. It took some time, but with careful fine tuning we reached a harmonious assemblage which proved the perfect balance; neither too bold nor too tame!”
Companta is said to exude rich, ‘autumnal’ scents of red berries, and a hint of fragrant wood smoke with complementary notes of aromatic, nutty oak. The taste slowly reveals a spicy palate fragrant with cherries and stewed fruits, while notes of sugared plums, blood orange and rose-hip syrup emerge. Flavors of milk chocolate and brown sugar lead into a mouth-coating finish.
Bottled at 46% ABV and non chill-filtered for extra body and texture, Companta’s suggested retail price is $99/750ml.
