There's a very good reason to visit the Glenmorangie boutique in Heathrow's Terminal 2, and that's to pick up an engraved edition of its A Tale of Tokyo expression.
Inspired by Glenmorangie Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden's love of the Japanese capital, this new limited edition release has been partly matured in Japanese Mizunara oak casks, gifting additional complexity and a peppery spice to the liquid.
Mizunara oak is known to be rather challenging to work with, as it's not ideal for barrel making. Not only is it scarce, but it's porous, so leakage tends to be a problem.
This limited edition expression has been partly matured in Japanese Mizunara oak casks...
The result is an understated triumph. On the nose, A Tale of Tokyo teases with vanilla pods and Shibuya spice; this gives way to caramelised sugar, ripe cherries and zesty orange on the palate. Delightfully smooth, it has a nutty chocolate finish.
The packaging is fitting. Designed by Japanese artist Akira Yamaguchi, it depicts Japanese landmarks and pastimes in Nishiki-e style - and hidden in the art are various Dr Bills for you to spot as you sip your dram.
This is the second of Glenmorangie's 'Tale of' series, which began in 2020 with A Tale of Cake. More editions are in the pipeline.
Bottled at 46% ABV, A Tale of Tokyo is available from the Glenmorangie Heathrow boutique, as well as specialist whisky outlets, priced from £73.
Named The Wondrous Glenmorangie Boutique, the Heathrow T2 store is finished in oak and copper, all lit in characteristic orange. Inside there's an expansive range of Glenmorangie's signature whiskies, and a bar where you can enjoy a cocktail of two.
When I dropped by, I was enthusiastically told this is the only store of its kind in the world.
Alongside Glenmorangie's regular travel retail range, you can pick up Glenmorangie Tuiga 25 Year Old (released as a celebratory bottling for the Monaco Yacht Club in 2021), Glenmorangie 25 Years Old Pommard Cask Finish and Glenmorangie Sonoma-Cutrer Reserve 25 Year Old, finished in Chardonnay wine casks with only 1,000 bottles produced.
There are also rare and experimental Glenmorangie single malts to explore.
Our advice is plan your next flight from Heathrow accordingly!
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