It is a sun-soaked afternoon at a Glenmorangie tasting at Lower Parel's Comorin, and the room already feels warmed by amber light and the characteristic bustle of laughter and conversation that accompanies a whisky masterclass. At the centre of it all, framed by glasses of The Original 12 and a table lined with nosing pipettes, stands Dr Bill Lumsden, a man whose reputation in whisky circles often precedes him by a country mile. But in person he feels less like a corporate figurehead and far more like a delighted scientist who has snuck out of the lab for a party. Hair slightly rumpled, eyes lit with delight and mischief, he greets every question like a puzzle he cannot wait to dismantle.

Lumsden has spent more than 25 years shaping Glenmorangie’s identity, steering its creative vision and pushing it towards the edges of what Scottish whisky should sound, smell and taste like. He holds a PhD in biochemistry, but introduces himself simply as someone who is forever asking “What if?”. That question has led him to experiment with porter stout beers, chocolate malts, Tokaji wine casks, and even whisky matured in space. It has also shaped the brand’s latest milestone, the reimagining of The Original into a 12-year expression, which was the reason for his return to India after six years.

At the tasting table he is a force of pure, infectious enthusiasm. Between sips he breaks into anecdotes about disastrous early experiments and triumphant accidents. When someone asks about volumes for small-batch prototypes, he pauses long enough to pull out his glasses and phone, tapping furiously at the calculator app like a professor cracking an equation. The room laughs with him rather than at him, because his curiosity is disarming and sincere. And perhaps that is why he continues to command such reverence; beneath the accolades and technical mastery is a man genuinely entranced by the alchemy of flavour.

Mumbai’s whisky lovers are a demanding audience, but tonight they lean in closely as Bill speaks. The unveiling of The Original 12 becomes more than a product launch. It becomes a window into the mind of the man who built Glenmorangie’s modern identity. The tasting shifts into storytelling, the stories segue into laughter, and soon enough the conversation becomes more interesting than the liquid itself; which is where we begin. Excerpts:

You’ve often bridged the gap between art and science in whisky-making. How does your background in biochemistry still shape the way you think about flavour creation today?

I’m not a classic whisky blender. The process is much more emotional than empirical for me. But of course, science is vital in giving me the tools and understanding of flavour development, wood chemistry, and maturation dynamics. That scientific rigour acts as a launchpad for my creativity. It allows me to explore my wildest imaginings—to follow a hunch or a sensory spark and turn it into whisky. 

Your favourite phrase, “What if?”, has led to some of Glenmorangie’s most experimental releases. What’s the most outrageous idea you’ve ever explored that actually worked—and one that didn’t?

Glenmorangie Signet, the world’s first whisky crafted with chocolate malt, has to be my proudest creation.  This trailblazing whisky was inspired by a cup of my favourite Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee! I can still remember the moment the idea came to me. And although it took years to bring Signet to life, its tiramisu tastes and molten mocha tones are a fantastic reward for our hard work. 

Of course, not all experiments are perfect first time. I initially experimented with Tokaji sweet wine casks many years ago. And although I glimpsed the astonishingly mellow flavours these casks could unlock in Glenmorangie, the results were never quite ready for release. Years later, when I was dreaming of a whisky that would capture the joy of a cake moment, I finished whisky in Tokaji casks again. That’s how we created the sweet, fruity flavours of Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake – the first whisky in our imaginative A Tale Of… series.
 

How do you decide when to respect Scotch tradition and when to challenge it?

Glenmorangie has been making whisky for over 180 years, and yet, our spirit has always been one of curiosity and pursuit of excellence. 
The core elements of our spirit have been consistent for generations: The stills in which we distil our spirit are uniquely tall; we use singularly mineral-rich water from our own spring; we mature our whisky in the finest casks. All of these things create our distinctively complex, elegant spirit. But within those parameters, there is endless room to experiment. 

And experiment we do! Whether it’s with the barley, for Glenmorangie Signet – the first whisky created using chocolate malt. Or by using different types of casks for maturation, as we do for whiskies such as Glenmorangie The Infinita 18 Years Old or the whiskies of our A Tale Of… series. And we are dedicated to bringing new possibilities to single malt. In 2021 we opened our Lighthouse innovation distillery at Glenmorangie where we have all sorts of pioneering experiments going on! Watch this space…

You pioneered many wood management techniques and extra-maturation approaches. How has your understanding of oak evolved over three decades of experimentation?

Cask management is both a science and an art, and it’s something I’ve been obsessed with for decades. At Glenmorangie, we’re fortunate to have long-term relationships with specific coopers and wood sources—especially in the American Ozark Mountains—so we can tailor our casks from the very start. We’re constantly experimenting with different oak species, toasting levels, or trialling casks that once held unusual wines or spirits. 

When it comes to storytelling; do you tend to start with a story and craft the whisky to match, or does the whisky inspire the story?

I’ve always taken a “What if…?” approach to my whisky making. And whatever inspires me, be it a dream, an experience, a flavour, I challenge myself to capture it in whisky form. How do we do it? Well, it’s a complex mix of imagination, skill and time. 
 

For instance, we’ve just released Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices, which evokes the fragrant aromas and rainbow hues of spice markets. To do that, we’ve carefully combined four different cask finishes—something we’ve never done before at Glenmorangie—to create a uniquely complex, perfumed sweet and spicy whisky. I hope the whisky will transport drinkers in India to a spice market when they taste it!

You’re also deeply interested in wine and beer. How have these worlds influenced the way you approach whisky creation?

While I’m an ardent lover of single malt, wine is my other great passion! And I often take inspiration from the delicious flavours that wine casks can offer our whiskies. Last year, for example, we unveiled our Pursuit of Passion Wine Cask Collection. This trio of exceptional aged whiskies charts my travels through some of Europe’s most acclaimed wine regions in search of prized casks in which to finish Glenmorangie.

After 30 years with Glenmorangie, how do you view your legacy in the industry—and what philosophies do you hope the next generation of distillers will carry forward?

During my time at Glenmorangie, we have popularised the art of wood finishing, now adopted by almost the entire industry; we’ve shared many world firsts, including Glenmorangie Signet. And we have built our innovation distillery, the Lighthouse—which promises to bring new possibilities to single malt for generations to come.

I’m really proud of everything we have accomplished so far, and I hope that I’ve inspired others to carry the torch of imagination at Glenmorangie long after my time: and be constantly creative, for excellence’s sake. I also hope that the next generation will have a similarly curious approach, and try different things.
 

You’ve received nearly every major industry accolade, culminating in an MBE this year. How has that recognition changed the way you think about your role as an innovator—or has it simply reaffirmed your instincts?

It was a great honour to receive my MBE – not just for me, but for everyone who has supported me and my (at times madcap) ideas through the years. While I’m very proud to have had my impact on the Scotch whisky industry recognised in this way, it has only strengthened my desire to bring even more creativity into my work, and craft whiskies that delight drinkers new and old. 

Where does India stand on the map for you? We are a very Scotch-obsessed nation, as you know.

India has always fascinated me — the passion, the curiosity, the appetite for quality is extraordinary. I think modern whisky lovers in India, are seeking authenticity and quality, paired with imagination. They want to understand the story behind what’s in their glass. 
We aim to offer that sense of depth and discovery with The Original 12 Years Old. It’s not about age alone—it’s about experience. And as Indian whisky culture grows more premium and sophisticated, Glenmorangie is right there, offering whiskies that speak to craft, creativity, and a little bit of magic.
 

What are some hidden-gem places across the planet that surprised you with the quality and personality behind their whiskies?

I have a deep admiration for the wonderful selection of Japanese whiskies on offer now. Their dedication to precision, balance, and artistry in distillation is truly remarkable.