Whisky Focus - Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Whiskies Strike Gold

As the whisky awards season continues I have to say their are not many Scotch whisky brands that are capable of walking away from two prestigious industry competitions clutching a total of 15 gold or double-gold medals between them but that is exactly what Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt Scotch whiskies have done. The two iconic whisky brands picked up the awards from the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC).

Glenmorangie scooped  ten awards in total, five at each competition:

• Glenmorangie Signet – Gold (ISC)
  Hailed as Whisky of the Year by the International Whisky Competition 2016, Glenmorangie Signet is created from some of the Distillery’s oldest whisky and spirit matured in a selection of the world’s finest casks. Its uniquely rich character celebrates the high-roast chocolate malt used in its distillation.
   
• Glenmorangie 18 Years Old – Gold (ISC)
  This whisky is matured in bourbon casks for 15 years, before a select parcel is chosen for finishing in oloroso sherry casks. The parcels are reunited when they are 18 years old, to create its full, rounded taste.
   
• Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989 – Gold (ISC)
  The second release in the Distillery’s exclusive Vintage Collection, Bond House No.1, this limited expression is created from spirit distilled in the last days of Glenmorangie’s former still house. Rich and complex, it is Glenmorangie’s first whisky part-matured in rare ex-Côte-Rôtie casks.
   
• Glenmorangie The Tayne – Gold (ISC)
  Finished in Amontillado sherry casks, this rich, spicy whisky is part of the Legends Collection, exclusive to Travel Retail.
   
• Glenmorangie Spìos – Gold (ISC)
  Glenmorangie’s first whisky fully matured in American ex-rye whiskey casks. A full-bodied and savoury expression, it is the ninth annual release in the Distillery’s pioneering Private Edition series.
   
• Glenmorangie Signet – Double Gold (SFWSC)
  Hailed as Whisky of the Year by the International Whisky Competition 2016, Glenmorangie Signet is created from some of the Distillery’s oldest whisky and spirit matured in a selection of the world’s finest casks. Its uniquely rich character celebrates the high-roast chocolate malt used in its distillation.
   
• Glenmorangie Original – Gold (SFWSC)
  Renowned for its complexity, the Distillery’s smooth and rounded signature single malt whisky is aged for ten years in the finest ex-bourbon casks.
   
• Glenmorangie Lasanta – Gold (SFWSC)
  Finished in select Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, this rich and smooth 12-year-old whisky is part of the Extra-Matured Range.
   
• Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or – Gold (SFWSC)
  Finished in rare Sauternes wine casks, this sumptuous and smooth 12-year-old whisky is part of the
  Extra-Matured Range.
   
• Glenmorangie 19 Years Old – Gold (SFWSC)
  Aged in the finest ex-bourbon casks, this Travel Retail exclusive augments Glenmorangie’s renowned character with a deep complexity and surprising zestiness.

Glenmorangie's success at the SFWSC began with a prized double-gold medal for Glenmorangie Signet. Judges also honoured three of the Distillery’s core expressions – its signature single malt Glenmorangie Original won gold, alongside Glenmorangie Lasanta and Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or from the Extra-Matured Range. Glenmorangie 19 Years Old was also given gold. At the ISC, Glenmorangie Signet won further renown. It earned gold alongside Glenmorangie 18 Years Old, Glenmorangie The Tayne, Glenmorangie Spìos and Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1989.

Ardbeg won five further prestigious accolades at the SFWSC:

• Ardbeg Corryvreckan – Double Gold & Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement
  The namesake of a treacherous whirlpool situated off Islay’s coast, it has swirling aromas and torrents of deep, peaty, peppery taste.
   
• Ardbeg An Oa – Double Gold
  Inspired by the Mull of Oa, the latest permanent expression from Ardbeg is smoky, sweet and singularly rounded.
   
• Ardbeg Uigeadail – Double Gold
  Named after the Distillery’s unique water source, it marries Ardbeg’s traditional deep, smoky notes with luscious, raisin tones of ex-sherry casks.
   
• Ardbeg Grooves (Committee Exclusive) – Double Gold
  A limited-edition bottling released to celebrate Ardbeg Day 2018, the annual, global celebration of all things Ardbeg. Made using casks which have been heavily charred to carve deep grooves in the wood, the Committee Exclusive release of this intensely mellow whisky is available only to Ardbeg’s loyal following, the Ardbeg Committee.
   
• Ardbeg Ten Year Old – Gold
  This expression is revered around the world as the smokiest, peatiest, most complex malt whisky of them all.

As you can see there were plaudits for all of Ardbeg Distillery’s permanent expressions, with Ardbeg Corryvreckan celebrated as Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement. It was awarded a double-gold medal, alongside Ardbeg An Oa. Ardbeg Ten Years Old earned gold. The 2018 Ardbeg Committee Exclusive release of Ardbeg Grooves, released in February this year, was also handed a double-gold medal.

Dr Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, said: "This haul of medals, from two such influential competitions, is a fitting reflection of the dedication with which all at Glenmorangie and Ardbeg pursue their craft – and the exceptional whiskies which result. I’m delighted that industry experts have again rewarded Glenmorangie Original’s smooth and rounded taste, alongside whiskies from the Extra-Matured Range and Glenmorangie Signet. It is inspiring to see Ardbeg’s untamed spirit commended, with awards for all the permanent expressions. Ardbeg Corryvreckan’s peaty, peppery character is undoubtedly worthy of the judges’ highest praise."

You will find both the award winning Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whiskies available from specialist online whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange and  Master of Malt
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops

Whisky Focus