HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
Glenmorangie Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the house of LVMH proudly unveils an extraordinarily rare limited edition – Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old, the first-ever prestige drop from Glenmorangie in India. This rich and elemental whisky, embodying the wonder of the natural world, will be exclusively available at Delhi Duty Free. To celebrate this launch, Glenmorangie has created a mesmerising experience for travellers – an interactive art installation featuring a stunning flora-fauna terrarium that delves into themes of life, earth, air and energy. This botanical installation offers travellers a feast for the senses, beautifully mirroring the whisky’s intricate flavours, aromas, and heritage.
Glenmorangie Dr. Bill Lumsden x Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old arises from a partnership between Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, and the Japanese botanical artist Azuma Makoto. Dr. Bill’s delicious single malt reflects their shared love of nature and all that it encompasses, a concept known in Japanese as shinra bansho. Inspired by the whisky’s complex notes of flowers, rain-soaked moss, and earthy hints, Azuma Makoto has created a botanical masterpiece, depicted on the edition’s packaging.
During a trip to Glenmorangie’s Highland Distillery, Dr. Bill and Azuma – a close friend of the brand – were inspired by the beauty of their surroundings. The acclaimed botanical artist shared with Dr. Bill the notion of shinra bansho, which embraces the ground, the sky, and everything in between. Dr. Bill began to envision a whisky entwining Glenmorangie’s floral side with the underground world that brings all plants to life. He united a classic Glenmorangie, long aged in bourbon casks, with Glenmorangie’s first whisky ever finished in casks that once held Chardonnay white wine from the Meursault appellation in Burgundy. With its notes of moss dampened by rainfall, burning oak, and earthy scents of the forest floor, he created a truly elemental whisky: rich, mellow, and intriguingly deep.
In his Tokyo studio, Azuma Makoto drew on the whisky’s flavors to create his own masterpiece. Gathering orchids, roses, and countless wild flowers from Scotland and around the world, he skilfully wove them through tree bark, roots, and moss. His complex, flowing botanical sculpture (entitled Shinra Bansho to reflect the notion at its heart) is Azuma’s own tribute to nature’s evolving harmonies. Beautifully reflecting the layered depths of Dr Bill’s creation, it is showcased on the whisky’s packaging.
Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden, said, “Our collaboration with Azuma Makoto is a delicious celebration of nature’s wonder. Including our first whisky finished in Chardonnay casks from 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.”
Azuma Makoto said, “I was honoured to partner with Dr Bill for this special celebration of shinra bansho. My sculpture is a response to my view of Earth’s blessings – my sense of gratitude for nature – and for the flavour of the Highlands, expressed deliciously in Dr Bill’s whisky.”
Smriti Sekhsaria, Marketing Director at Moët Hennessy India, said, “We are thrilled to bring the extremely rare Glenmorangie Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old to India, exclusively at Delhi Duty Free. This collaboration with Azuma Makoto perfectly embodies Glenmorangie’s innovative spirit – beautifully paying tribute to nature and bringing alive the concept of shinra bansho. We look forward to welcoming whisky enthusiasts and travellers to explore the new limited edition launch that promises to fascinate and delight!”
The immersive multi-sensory fragrance experience for the launch of Glenmorangie Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old at Delhi International Airport promises to transform the shopping journey for the discerning international traveller, inviting them to explore and engage with the spirit’s elemental nuances through touch and scent .
Glenmorangie Azuma Makoto 23 Years Old is exclusively available at travel retail outlets at the Delhi International Airport, priced at $1250 / INR 1,04,690. This prestige release provides a rare opportunity for discerning whisky connoisseurs to experience a masterpiece that encapsulates the harmony of nature and exceptional craftsmanship. The limited-edition bottle will soon be made available across select travel retail outlets across the country.
