Glenmorangie

The Glenmorangie distillery, established in 1843, stands as a prominent figure in the world of Scotch whisky. Originally founded by the Mathesen brothers, Glenmorangie came under the ownership of Macdonald & Muir, an Edinburgh-based wine and spirits merchant, in 1918. This change marked a significant turn in the distillery's direction, aligning it with the blending industry and introducing its principal blended whisky brand, Highland Queen. In 1996, the company rebranded itself as Glenmorangie and made a significant move by acquiring the Ardbeg distillery on Islay, broadening its portfolio to include a distinctly different single malt. In 2004, Glenmorangie was acquired by the French luxury conglomerate Louis Vuitton-Moët Hennessy (LVMH), consolidating its position in the world of high-end spirits. The Highland Queen brand and Glen Moray distillery were subsequently divested, focusing solely on the two malt brands, Glenmorangie and Ardbeg.

The distillery's name, which means "Little Valley of Deep Tranquility" in Gaelic, reflects its picturesque location near the Dornoch Firth in the Northern Highlands, where alcohol production, often illicit, has a centuries-old heritage. From its beginnings in the mid-19th century, Glenmorangie has faced challenges, ownership changes, and expansions, ultimately achieving remarkable success and acclaim.

Glenmorangie's Tain distillery in Ross-shire and Ardbeg on the Isle of Islay have become iconic names in the single malt world. Glenmorangie has consistently been a top-selling single malt in Scotland since 1983, producing approximately 10 million bottles annually and holding a 6% share of the global single malt market. With a production capacity of around six million liters and a water source from Tarlogie Springs in the nearby Tarlogie hills, Glenmorangie has evolved into a formidable force in the whisky industry. In addition to its traditional operations, Glenmorangie opened "the Lighthouse" in 2021, providing a space for experimentation and innovative distillation techniques.