Glenmorangie French XO Calvados Cask

Pulling out all the stops for this unprecedented expression, Glenmorangie has used ex-Calvados casks in its maturation process for the first time in its 181 years of whiskymaking. This single malt is the sequel to Malaga Cask and Amontillado Cask small batch releases from one of Scotland’s best-loved flagship distilleries; fruitier and more elegant than ever from years spent finishing in the finest French Calvados du Pays d’Auge casks.

Calvados is a traditional double-distilled apple brandy from Normandy, home to some of Europe's finest orchards. Due to appellation contrôlée status, Calvados du Pays d’Auge is the rarest and most prestigious variety, with fewer than 1 in 5 parishes in the north-west region of France qualified for its production.

Glenmorangie’s acclaimed Director of Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden has been eager to explore the use of these rare casks for some time to see how the orchard notes could further enhance the award-winning single malt fruit-forward nature; so naturally he took things one step further by only hand-picking casks that have aged Calvados du Pays d’Auge for at least 20 years, ensuring the highest quality and craftmanship on this inaugural release.

Naturally bright gold in colour and bottled non-chill filtered at 46% ABV, the Calvados influence harmonises with Glenmorangie’s distillate in fruit-forward perfection. As Dr Bill elaborates: “Entwining scents of baked pears, vanilla and jasmine with tastes of toffee apples… and spice, this rare whisky takes all that is good about Glenmorangie to richly delicious new heights.”

To date, this is the only batch ever created – and with extreme Calvados du Pays d’Auge scarcity, we can assure you this whisky won’t be around for very long at all. Thanks to our four-year partnership with this iconic flagship distillery, Glenmorangie French XO Calvados Cask was available in Australia exclusively to Members as the August 2024 Whisky Of The Month.

This is why you Whisky Club. 

And if you’re not already a Member, join the Club free today to ensure you’re in to receive your own bottle of the next exclusive Club release.