Japanese artist Azuma Makoto once sent a bouquet of flowers 30,000 meters above Earth. Shots of the vivid array of orchids, red lilies, and sunflowers suspended in space are a striking testament to his deep reverence for nature and art. This was quite clear to Glenmorangie’s Dr. Bill Lumsden, himself a fervent nature enthusiast, when he met Mr. Makoto. And a unique collaboration was inevitable.
The two teamed up to create the rare and limited edition Glenmorangie Dr. Bill Lumsden x Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old whisky, embodying their shared reverence for creativity and nature.
During their visit to Glenmorangie’s Highland Distillery, Dr. Lumsden and Mr. Makoto found inspiration amidst the natural beauty surrounding them. Together, they envisioned a uniquely exquisite single malt that pays homage to the diversity of nature.
Dr. Lumsden meticulously crafted a smooth and flavorful whisky, aged initially in bourbon casks and finished in oak casks previously used to mature Chardonnay white wine from Burgundy, a first for Glenmorangie.
Meanwhile, in his Tokyo studio, Mr. Makoto drew inspiration from the whisky’s flavors to create a sophisticated botanical artwork titled Shinra Bansho, celebrating the vastness of the universe. This masterpiece adorns the packaging of the limited edition whisky, symbolizing their collaborative journey bridging artistry and whisky craftsmanship.
This comes after their 18-year-old whisky collaboration in 2021. Inspired by the floral nuances of the single malt whisky, Mr. Makoto crafted a design for a limited-edition bottle and a dynamic sculpture titled ‘Dancing Flowers of Glenmorangie.’ The gift box for this special edition prominently featured Mr. Makoto’s floral masterpiece, a celebration of the whisky’s fragrant bouquet highlighted by jasmine, geranium, and narcissus notes.
About the new collaboration, Dr. Lumsden shared, “Our collaboration with Azuma Makoto is a delicious celebration of nature’s wonder. Including our first whisky finished in Chardonnay casks from the Meursault appellation in Burgundy, this 23-year-old single malt encapsulates nature in all its forms, through notes of lemon balsam, poached pears and cocoa powder layered on the oaky, earthy tones of the forest floor. Azuma-san’s stunning sculpture, featured on the whisky’s packaging, evokes the fragrant scents and elemental depths of this extraordinarily rare whisky – a gift from nature itself.”
The duo’s second collaboration is an exciting merge of creativity and nature in a rare and exquisite expression.
