Alchemy: Invoice Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky shares, is in South Africa to launch the model’s Triple Cask Reserve. Pictures: Equipped
As we’re having dinner on the Patat Restaurant, on the charming Swartberg Nation Manor, an upmarket lodge outdoors Oudtshoorn, I decide up a way of contentment.
There’s a hearth roaring within the fireplace of this rambling farmhouse, in-built 1864, and we’re a small group of media hacks on this marvellous freebie, being pampered with scrumptious meals and high quality whisky.
However I hold noticing the avuncular Invoice Lumsden, Glenmorangie’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky shares, taking anxious glances at his telephone. I ask him what the issue is.
“Rangers are enjoying — and so they haven’t scored a objective but,” he replies, with real concern, in his Scottish burr.
I look over at his display screen and see that his Glasgow crew is enjoying the Ukrainian membership Dynamo Kyiv.
I don’t know a lot about soccer — apart from the stress Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates trigger in my family.
After some dialog across the desk concerning the two groups, I work out that this sport is essential for Dr Invoice (as everybody calls him), seeing it’s a Uefa Champions League qualifier for the Gers.
After a couple of glasses of whisky had given me some liquid braveness, I provide up a prayer.
Lo and behold, Rangers rating a couple of minutes after my highly effective plea, drawing within the dying minutes of the match. I now know what I will likely be doing in my retirement.
Nevertheless, that’s not why I had the pleasure of assembly Dr Invoice, who holds a PhD in biochemistry and is famend for his skill to create fascinating new flavours in single malts, utilizing creative cask finishes.
He’s in South Africa to launch the Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve.
The title is self-explanatory — it’s constituted of three barrels, a way that’s not often used within the Scotch whisky business.
“There are two or three causes for that. The least horny reply is that I truly had numerous these barrels in my inventory profile which I saved for a wet day,” Dr Invoice tells us.
“Then, once I began to suppose extra significantly concerning the product, I used to be wanting one thing to be an entry-level Glenmorangie. A Glenmorangie that was going to be at a extra accessible value level.
“I assumed that this is able to be for people who find themselves perhaps not whisky consultants and usually tend to be making cocktails or including soda.”
He says, for that cause, he needed to make one thing extra full-bodied.
“The brand new charred-oak barrels and the rye whisky barrels are extra flavoursome than my regular bourbon barrels and that’s the rationale why I used them.”
Whereas I’m an enthusiastic whisky drinker, I’m not the glass-tilting, deep-sniffing kind.
So, when I’m sitting at a desk with correct whisky drinkers, I panic a bit. I do know that I’ve to watch and do as they do. And, simply by statement, I believe I might need discovered whisky consuming.
First, take a second to understand the color. Maintain the glass as much as the sunshine and fake you realize what you’re doing.
Subsequent, give it a mild swirl. This releases the aromas, which is what the professionals name the “nostril”.
Stick your nostril within the glass and take a sniff. You may decide up notes of caramel, vanilla or oak — or perhaps it simply smells like alcohol. That’s okay, too.
Lastly, take a sip. Let it roll round your mouth earlier than swallowing. You’ll doubtless really feel a bit of heat in your throat, which is a part of the expertise.
Strive to select flavours, even when they’re obscure.
“Hmm, I’m getting hints of vanilla and spice,” you may say. Nobody must know you’re simply guessing.
To be sincere, with the Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve, there have been spicy notes and a few fruity ones that I picked up after tasting it a few instances.
It was scrumptious, and what makes it extra particular is the truth that it really works itself completely into cocktails, preserving its daring notes.
One wonders how Dr Invoice balances conventional whisky-making strategies with trendy improvements.
“I by no means enable myself to be handcuffed by custom however I respect custom. I attempt to do various things whereas nonetheless sticking broadly to the old style ideas of whisky-making,” he says.
“It’s about steadiness and I’m discovering increasingly more lately that your typical malt whisky shopper, who will usually be extra educated about whisky than perhaps a blended Scotch whisky drinker, they’re continually on the lookout for one thing new and one thing totally different.
“In the event you turn into too old style and too conventional, and by no means wish to do something attention-grabbing, then your model will turn into irrelevant to those folks,” he says.
Whisky tradition can really feel like a secret membership however there are a couple of fundamental etiquette suggestions I learnt on the desk to bear in mind.
First, don’t chug your whisky. This isn’t a varsity celebration; whisky is supposed to be sipped and savoured.
Second, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Individuals who love whisky often take pleasure in sharing their data, and also you may study one thing helpful.
Lastly, keep away from being too pretentious. Nobody likes a whisky snob — particularly one who’s nonetheless studying the ropes.
“I believe folks generally take Scotch malt whisky a little bit bit too significantly and it’s nice to indicate reverence towards it — it’s an costly luxurious product — however, greater than anything, it needs to be enjoyable.”
These phrases from Dr Invoice put me comfy, the panic subsides and I’m able to benefit from the whisky.
Having spent a little bit of time with Dr Invoice, who has a profession spanning virtually 40 years, you realise how a lot he cares concerning the craft.
“My long-suffering spouse realises that I’m not actually married to her, I’m married to Glenmorangie. Glenmorangie is my past love.
“I’m in a really accountable place of being the present guardian of the standard and character of Glenmorangie.
“I would like folks to recollect me with smiles on their faces and say that Invoice made whisky however he was a whole lot of enjoyable as properly.”
In the long run, whisky is supposed to be loved, not burdened over. Certain, there’s quite a bit to study, and also you may really feel out of your depth at first, however that’s a part of the enjoyable.
Embrace the journey, make errors and don’t take your self too significantly. With a little bit follow, you’ll go from whisky fool to whisky fanatic very quickly — identical to I’m doing.