Glenmorangie has unveiled its most ambitious Africa-focused campaign to date, bringing together some of the continent’s most influential creative voices to celebrate the values of character, craftsmanship and storytelling that have defined the iconic Highland single malt whisky brand for more than 180 years.
Titled The Height of Character, the pan-African campaign features South African author and cultural commentator Khaya Dlanga alongside Kenyan actress Kate Kamau and Nigerian musician and creative executive Darey Art Alade. Together, they explore the shared connection between storytelling and whisky-making, discovering how patience, authenticity and dedication shape both great creative work and exceptional whisky.
For Glenmorangie, character is not something that can be manufactured overnight. It is built through time, experience and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The same philosophy that guides the creation of its award-winning single malts inspired the selection of three African storytellers who have spent years building their own distinctive voices and cultural influence.
Representing South Africa is bestselling author and columnist Khaya Dlanga, whose thought-provoking commentary and storytelling have made him one of the country’s most respected cultural voices. During his visit to Scotland, Dlanga immersed himself in Glenmorangie’s rich heritage and traditions, discovering striking similarities between the craft of whisky-making and the art of storytelling.
“I’ve always been curious about people and the stories they carry, so I found myself just as drawn to the conversation as the whisky,” said Dlanga. “Behind every tradition were people who cared deeply about preserving something meaningful. It was a reminder that real character is built over time.”
Joining him are Kenyan actress Kate Kamau and Nigerian entertainment powerhouse Darey Art Alade, each bringing a unique perspective to the campaign while highlighting the diversity and creativity shaping Africa’s cultural landscape.
Kamau described the experience as a powerful reminder of how storytelling extends beyond words.
“What stayed with me most was how storytelling lives beyond words. You feel it in the people, the landscapes and the quiet pride behind every part of the distillery. It reminded me that, wherever we come from, the stories we choose to preserve become part of who we are,” she said.
For Darey Art Alade, the journey revealed the similarities between creative disciplines and whisky production.
“Whether you are making music, directing a production, building a platform or crafting whisky, character is shaped over time. The most meaningful work cannot be rushed,” he said.
As part of the campaign, Glenmorangie invited the trio to its historic distillery in Tain and across the Scottish Highlands, where they engaged with the people behind the brand and experienced firsthand the traditions that have shaped Glenmorangie for generations. The result is a collection of authentic stories captured through long-form editorial content, digital films and cultural experiences designed to connect African audiences with the brand’s heritage through a contemporary lens.
Glenmorangie Company President and CEO Caspar MacRae said the campaign was inspired by the meaningful conversations that emerged during the visit.
“When we welcomed Kate, Darey and Khaya to Tain, they brought a real sense of humour and curiosity into their conversations with our distillery team. It’s a delight to now see each storyteller’s unique take on their visit to Scotland and to celebrate their creativity and character through this campaign,” he said.
The campaign arrives at a time when African creatives are increasingly shaping global conversations across literature, music, film, fashion and design. Glenmorangie International Marketing and Commercial Director Derek Ruediger believes the partnership reflects the growing influence of African voices on the world stage.
“Africa’s creatives are defining the next era of storytelling. By inviting African voices to take centre stage, we hope to bring greater relevance and fresh perspectives to our brand stories for local audiences,” he said.
The Height of Character campaign will roll out across South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria from July through December 2026, supported by a series of exclusive launch events in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Lagos hosted by the campaign’s featured storytellers.
Through their experiences in Scotland, Glenmorangie and its creative collaborators are celebrating a shared belief that true character, whether in a whisky or a storyteller, is built over time.
