Well done Glenmorangie Distillery
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THE leading distiller behind Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malts has been named Master Distiller of the Year for an unprecedented third time.
Dr Bill Lumsden was honoured by the International Whisky Competition (IWC) for creating its Whisky of the Year – Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991.
The limited edition achieved the competition’s highest score (97 points out of 100), as head judge Sebastien Gavillet declared it “quite possibly one of the top 10 whiskies I’ve sampled in my life.”
Lumsden is director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks for Glenmorangie’s Highland single malt and Ardbeg’s Islay single malt, both owned by the Glenmorangie Company. To celebrate the award, the winner has handpicked a rare single cask from each distillery to share with whisky enthusiasts.
The first person to be named IWC’s Master Distiller of the Year award three times, Lumsden initially won the title in 2016 when Glenmorangie Signet was Whisky of the Year.
He won again in 2017 with Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release.
Gavillet added: “Lumsden’s talent at pairing the right barrels together is a blend of art, intuition, countless experimentations, perseverance and experience.”
To commemorate this year’s award with Glenmorangie fans, Lumsden selected Cask 388 – a lightly peated single cask whisky which has been aged for 14 years in a single, first-fill bourbon cask.
Lumsden also chose Cask 5824, matured on Ardbeg’s remote island home for 11 years, to be shared at a series of celebratory dinners.
He commented: “I’m honoured by such praise from the IWC and hope fans of great whisky will join the celebration by enjoying these rare single casks.
“Glenmorangie’s Cask 388 will delight with its creamy vanilla layers and an intriguing hint of smoke. And the sumptuous Cask 5824 from Ardbeg is filled with delicious contrasts – deep, nutty tastes softened by hints of Ardbeg ice-cream, sea spray and peat.”