Glenmorangie and Renovo launch bikes made from whisky casks

Renovo Hardwood Bicycles has collaborated with Glenmorangie, creators of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, to launch the first bicycle made from whisky casks — the Glenmorangie Original.

Since 1843, Glenmorangie has been renowned for its whisky creation and expertise in wood, and Renovo uses wood to create handmade bicycles. Unlike most distilleries where casks are filled five or six times, Glenmorangie’s are only used twice, preserving the wood notes of vanilla, almond, coconut and honey concentrated in the spirit maturing in first-fill casks. The parcel matured in second-fill casks brings out more of the citrus tones of Glenmorangie’s spirit. Together, they create The Original’s soft and smooth style.

When the American White Oak casks’ work at the Distillery is done, their staves are shipped from Scotland back to the USA to Renovo’s workshop in Oregon.

Renovo, the originators of the wood bicycle frame, utilises about 15 staves to construct the hollow frame of each Glenmorangie Original bicycle. Every bike is individually designed to embrace the trapezoidal shape of each stave, as well as the curve of the cask in the frame’s down and top tubes. These shapes are integrated into a frame with the same smooth-riding hollow frame technology Renovo pioneered, as well as “longbow” seat stays engineered to further tame rough roads.

Renovo founder Ken Wheeler said: “Renovo is dedicated to honouring wood in the creation of our bicycles, engineered to perfection for a smoother ride,” and that “these beautiful machines, uniquely fashioned from Glenmorangie’s staves, will inspire anyone with a taste for innovation".

Glenmorangie’s collaboration with Renovo is the second partnership in the Distillery’s Beyond the Cask series, which celebrates the casks in which Glenmorangie Original is matured, by repurposing their staves in innovative ways. Last year, Glenmorangie created a limited edition of the world’s first Scotch whisky sunglasses, with British eyewear designer Finlay & Co.