Harrison Ford stars in Glenmorangie’s latest campaign as the Highland distillery releases The Altus 25 Years Old, a new core range single malt matured in bourbon and Madeira casks.
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‘Something very special’: Harrison Ford on Glenmorangie’s new 25-year-old
Glenmorangie has unveiled a 25-year-old single malt, The Altus, joining its core range alongside The Original 12 Years Old and Infinita 18 Years Old. The whisky, whose name means “high” in Latin, combines spirit matured in classic bourbon casks with a portion finished in Madeira wine casks, and will be available from specialist retailers, the distillery visitor centre in Tain, and online at £550 RRP.
Ford’s first taste
Harrison Ford was among the first to try The Altus, featuring in Glenmorangie’s brand campaign Once Upon a Time in Scotland. In the ‘Teamwork’ episode, Ford is handed a mystery dram by Senior Tour Guide Emily Ross and told by Distillery Manager Ed Thom it is “something very special”. After tasting, Ford says: “You guys do good work… Here’s to your creation. To the good people of Glenmorang-y. Cheers,” before a distillery worker gently corrects his pronunciation.
Ed Thom, distillery manager since 2019, said Ford’s reaction was genuine: “After filming stopped, he shared his appreciation and praise for the craftsmanship of the team who created it. He was very relaxed during breaks. He even told us a few jokes – which we promised to keep a secret if he didn’t tell anyone about The Altus before it was released.”
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Emily Ross described the experience as “unreal”: “I’ve always been a Harrison Ford fan… He was incredibly down-to-earth, humble, and genuine. It was a day I’ll never forget; a real moment in Glenmorangie’s history.”
A new pinnacle of flavour
The Altus’s creation began with Glenmorangie’s tall stills, designed to produce a fruity and delicate spirit. The whisky matured in the distillery’s bespoke “designer” bourbon casks – hand-made from slow-growth American oak and seasoned for at least four years – before being married with a small proportion of Madeira cask-finished Glenmorangie, a nod to the distillery’s pioneering 1995 Madeira Wood Finish release.
Dr Bill Lumsden, director of whisky creation and master distiller, said: “The Altus’s 25-year journey is a true celebration of Glenmorangie’s acclaimed house style – presenting it at a new pinnacle of flavour… The Altus elevates our distillery’s signature notes of mandarin, peach and pear to new heights, combined with sweet butter-candy tones.”
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