Glenmorangie Spios is the latest release in the Private Edition series and the first Glenmorangie whisky which has been fully matured in first fill American ex-rye whiskey casks.

Glenmorangie Spios is the latest release in the Highland distillery's Private Edition series. The 9th release in the series to date, a series which offers whisky drinkers something off the normal beaten track of the core range of Glenmorangie whiskies which they are familiar with.

This year Dr Bill Lumsden, Glenmorangie's master of whisky creation or to give him his official title, "Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks", has come up with another first for the Glenmorangie distillery, a single malt whisky which has been fully matured in first fill American ex-rye whiskey casks.

Those of you familiar with a good American rye whisky will know that it is usually full of spicy character. To create Spios, which incidentally is Scots Gaelic for ‘spice’ and pronounced ‘spee-oss’, Dr Bill sourced first-fill casks from American rye whiskey’s heartland of Kentucky which I would guess will have imparted just subtle rye influence into the Glenmorangie spirit as well as influence from the first fill oak itself.

Dr Bill commented on his latest creation, saying: "I have always loved American rye whiskey’s spicy character, and I believed our Distillery’s smooth house style would perfectly complement the nuances of ex-rye casks. The result is Glenmorangie Spìos – a full-bodied, savoury single malt whisky which brings to mind American rye whiskey’s golden age. Its fresh, herbal nose hints at cherry, clove and scents of green grass.

"Then rye’s spice bursts on to the palate, as toffee, clove and cinnamon mingle with buttery vanilla, before a sweet and lingering finish. I hope connoisseurs and collectors will enjoy this latest innovative release in our Private Edition – a single malt whisky which is unmistakeably Glenmorangie, yet exquisitely different."

With rye whisky now seeing a bit of a resurgence in popularity these days this release just may appeal to a wider audience and may not be on the shelves long, as to its quality I cannot comment as I haven't had the chance to taste it but hopefully its quality is in line with previous Private Edition releases. You will find the official tasting note below which pretty much describes what you would expect to find in a whisky which has matured in first fill American ex-rye whiskey casks.

Read more at source Scotch Malt Whisky