A Taste of Scotland - Glenmorangie
Duration: 3 1/4 hours
Tour Code: ing-006
To connoisseurs of the `water of life`, no visit to the beautiful Scottish Highlands would be complete without a visit to the distillery that produces Glenmorangie, Scotland's favorite malt whisky. Situated in the far north of Scotland, overlooking the shores of the Dornoch Firth, the name Glenmorangie comes from the Gaelic language and means `Glen of Tranquility`, a particularly appropriate description for the distillery's calm and scenic location.
A 30-minute coach ride brings you to Glenmorangie, which has been producing a fine range of malt whiskies for over 150 years. The methods by which the range is made today remain as unchanged as the surrounding landscape. The pure, mineral-rich water, so essential to Glenmorangie still comes from their own Springs and the best malted barley is brought in from the surroundings areas. One of Glenmorangie's most valued resources is the sixteen dedicated craftsmen who have, despite two world wars, fire, drought and other adversities, faithfully passed on their traditional skills from old hands to new. In more than 150 years, the distillery has had only six managers. The workforce is only sixteen strong and it is solely due to the efforts of successive generations of local families that Glenmorangie has maintained a continuous tradition to the distillers' art.
Upon arrival, a personally guided tour will introduce you to the natural elements and the time-honored traditional skills which make Glenmorangie so special. You'll see the gleaming swan-neck copper stills - the tallest in the Highlands, casks of American oak, operating equipment and methods used in the various stages of processing fine malt whisky. Following an approximately 45-minute tour of the distillery, you'll be treated to a taste of Glenmorangie with the sampling of a `wee dram`.
Your visit also includes the opportunity to spend time in the Visitor Center, which was converted from the distillery's original still-house. Here, you will find a magnificent 130 year-old working steam engine, tales from the `Sixteen Men of Tain`, artifacts from the distillery's past, and a model still. You can also discover the ancient skills of coopering and malting and the effects of wood on whisky.
Before leaving, take some time to browse in the distillery shop which contains a wide range of whiskies for sale, including the wood finished malts, together with a selection of beautifully made gifts and clothing items.
Please note: This tour includes approximately 1 1/2 hours of walking, as well as a significant number of steps to negotiate. The tour is not considered suitable for wheelchair guests and guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Weather appropriate clothing and flat, comfortable walking shoes are suggested. Guests should be prepared for the possibility of rain. The order of sites visited may vary.