Glen Scotia partners with London’s first sherry bar to launch
its latest limited-edition 12YO Seasonal Release 2022

Distiller teams up with Bar Pepito in Kings Cross to explore the flavour of Amontillado sherry that has been woven into its limited-edition 12-year-old release

Pepito’s Executive Chef shares recommendations for must-have food accomplishments to enjoy with a dram, evoking deeper flavours and enjoyment of award-winning Glen Scotia’s latest liquid

Scottish distiller, Glen Scotia, has partnered with London’s first dedicated sherry bar, Bar Pepito, to launch its new 12-year-old Seasonal Release (£80, 53.3% ABV), and explore the flavours of Andalusia featured in the dram.

Inspired by a winter’s day in Glen Scotia’s home, Campbeltown, the latest unpeated, cask strength, natural coloured release, available now, has been matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before a final twelve-month finish in Amontillado Sherry casks, which hail from the Montilla region of southern Spain.

Amontillado sherry starts as a Fino sherry before an ageing period of around ten years, which dissipates the ‘flor’, and through wood exposure and oxidation, produces a nutty, dry, and beautifully amber liquid.

The result for the Seasonal Release 2022 is a warm, nutty dram with lingering vanilla notes and a mildly dry finish. Subtle maritime nuances on the nose and palate are synonymous with the iconic Campbeltown malt style.

Working alongside Bar Pepito’s owner, Richard Bigg, and its Executive Chef, Nacho del Campo, Glen Scotia has explored the character of sherry and its exquisite flavour profile to craft a list of food accompaniments to enjoy alongside its latest expression.

Bar Pepito is the sister restaurant to Camino, also King’s Cross, which was borne after owner, Richard Bigg, travelled around Spain in his traditional Mini in the summer of 1984. The culture, people, and food & drink made an everlasting impression and a desire to create a piece of España back in the UK.

Chef Nacho del Campo joined Camino in 2008, and they opened Bar Pepito in 2010, after a career spanning 24 years working in Catalunya, Madrid, and Exeter. His passion for gastronomy paired with a love of sherry has accelerated the establishment to become one of the most sought-after authentic Spanish dining experiences in London.

Perfectly marrying Spanish cuisine with the unique new offering from Campbeltown, chef Nacho’s accompaniments include a variety of dishes using the Seasonal Release 2022, and items that can be gathered from any traditional Spanish deli:

• Whisky-marinated gordal olives with orange and cumin – Nacho advises to first make an emulsion with a bit of mustard, cumin, orange zest, whiskey and extra virgin olive oil for marinading
• Sliced Iberico de bellota ham
• Cheese selection – Nacho recommends well-cured cheese like Manchego or parmesan to go well with Glen Scotia. Alternatively, blue cheese like Valdeón, Stilton or Roquefort. Smoked cheese also works well.
• Luxury dark chocolate slices – Nacho says dark chocolate around 64% works well, he previously created a ganache with the Glen Scotia liquid and pistachio.
• Grilled tendersterm broccoli with almond Ajo Blanco sauce and sliced grapes
• Grilled Andalusian chicken with Mojo Picón sauce
• Grilled octopus tentacle with roasted beetroot hummus
• Rare fillet steak of Ibérico pork (grilled) with baba ghanoush
• Dark chocolate and Glen Scotia ganache with raspberries and pistachios

Chef Nacho del Campo said: “Spanish cooking is all about quality ingredients, very simply made, but always flavourful and fresh. The Glen Scotia Seasonal Release 2022 has a well-rounded profile that fits perfectly with Spanish cuisine. Whisky can add a real extra dynamic to food, so paired together they work very well.

“These dishes were created to enhance to experience, giving a touch of the Spanish way of life, with a twist from Scotland. Importantly, many can be recreated at home with a visit to one of the many Spanish delis around the country.”

Master Distiller, Iain McAllister and his team are behind the latest release from Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region.

He said: “Our Seasonal Release 2022 is a toast to the tight-knit community of Campbeltown. We can think of no better emblem for that community spirit than our Campbeltown market cross, which appears on the packaging of our latest annual release. It has long been a meeting point for local celebrations, which is what this dram is all about – best enjoyed when paired with good food and exceptional company.

“Our partnership with Bar Pepito and the team has been a fantastic voyage of discovery, exploring the Amontillado flavour which plays such an important role in our latest release. The dishes from Nacho, simple yet authentic, create a new and memorable experience for whisky drinkers to try at home.”

Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832. The small town on the Kintyre peninsula on the west coast is one of the officially recognised and protected whisky regions of Scotland. Once home to over thirty whisky producers, and with a distillery on every corner, it was known as “the Victorian Whisky Capital of the World”. Only a few distilleries endured to the present day, and Glen Scotia stands proudly among the last of the many.

In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Later that year, Glen Scotia was named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards. It is the first time a whisky distillery has received both accolades.

In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won Best In Class in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The Seasonal Release 2022 retails at £80 and is available for purchase from the Glen Scotia website (www.glenscotia.com) and through UK specialist retailers.

Tasting notes:

• Nose: Maritime notes of sea spray with sweet honey and caramel
• Taste: Creamy vanilla and salted caramel balanced with warming spicy notes of cinnamon & nutmeg
• Finish: Long. A nutty finish with gentle warming cinnamon spice and a mildly dry finish

Notes

About Glen Scotia

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown. The distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the fermenters, the stillroom, and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s.To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the unique Campbeltown maritime style the brand has become world-famous for.

In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch whisky was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across 31 categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles, making it ‘Best Whisky in the World’. Later that year, Glen Scotia was named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards. It is the first time a whisky distillery has received both accolades.

In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won Best In Class in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Twitter: @GlenScotiaMalts

Instagram: @glenscotiamalts

Facebook: @GlenScotiaWhisky

Follow Bar Pepito

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SMWS KELOWNA TASTING

We’re thrilled to announce a Scotch Malt Whisky Society tasting at ARC Liquor in Kelowna! SMWS Canada founders Rob & Kelly Carpenter will be on hand to take you through six SMWS whiskies alongside some light bites in this sit-down event. Bottles and memberships will be available for purchase at ARC Liquor.

This is open to members and non-members alike, so forward this to your whisky-loving friends and join us for what is sure to be a fun evening. Sign up below:

SMWS KELOWNA TASTING

at ARC LIQUOR – 1973 Harvey Ave.

Saturday, Nov. 19th  7:30pm  $55(+GST)

Please enjoy our products responsibly; no drinking and driving

SIGN UP HERE

October 2022 Auction  // 28 October – 7 November

CLOSES TODAY: October 2022 Auction

A warm welcome to our October Auction. Featuring over 10,500 rare whiskies and fine spirits, this is a unique opportunity to bid on some of the world’s most sought-after bottles.

We have legendary expressions from Islay icon Bowmore – including the 1964 Samaroli for Osteria Apostoli bottling offered for the first time at Whisky Auctioneer, Buffalo Trace Antique Collection highlights including a selection of inaugural releases, a diverse offering of Glenraclas with the very first SMWS bottling a particular highlight, and a single lot collection of The Macallan Folio series 1-6.

The Bowmore Vaults Series Final Edition – 1969 50 Year Old

A Trio of Iconic Samaroli Osteria Apostoli Bottlings

The Very First SMWS Release – Glenfarclas 1975 1.1

An Autumn Unveiling – Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Highlights

One of just 36 – Ardbeg 1974 Single Cask

Bid on over 10,500 bottles now.

MALT OF THE MOMENT

These dark, driech November days already have us day dreaming about last summer when we gazed across at the beautiful Isle of Raasay. In memory of sunnier times, we’re offering Raasay as our latest Malt of the Moment.

The latest single malt release from Raasay distillery! R-01.1 has been created from peated and unpeated Raasay spirit matured separately in first fill Rye whiskey, Chinkapin oak and first fill Bordeaux red wine casks, then combined resulting in a lightly peated dram. Raasay R-01.1 was bottled in 2022 at 46.4% vol on the Isle of Raasay using water from their on site well.

Peat Level: Barley 48-52ppm

Fermentation Time: 3 and 5 day fermentations

As ever if you have any questions or queries, please just ask.

Slàinte Mhath

SHOP NOW

Bowmore 27 Year Old “Timeless” Limited Edition Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch 750ml

$1,999.99

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This 27-year old single malt is indeed worthy of its esteemed legacy. Matured in sherry and bourbon casks for 15 years, before being carefully moved to first-fill Oloroso butts where it would remain for 12 years. Dark gold in color, the whisky yields aromas of fruity, cooked plums, prune jam, Corinth raisins and sultana notes, with a strong Oloroso influence. Toffee and maple syrup, liquorice, grilled orange peel and smoked seaweed. On the palate, flavors of tobacco and rich cocoa are followed by warming Islay peat smoke. The finish is long with scented, burnt wood notes, dried fruits and a touch of frankincense.

OUR CÀRN MÒR AUTUMN RELEASE

NEW CÀRN MÒR RELEASE

Our new Càrn Mòr release is appearing on shelves and online now, full of warming autumnal drams, including some exciting finishes and a UK Cask Strength Exclusive – a first for Càrn Mòr.

It’s been years since we have bottled an Aberlour and this rich and complex 9-year-old is certainly worth the wait. It has been fully matured in Oloroso Sherry since distillation in 2013 and typical to the distillery character gives sharp dark fruit notes with sweet sherry, malt, and spice.

We’ve enhanced our Glen Ord 2012 with 12 months in Ruby Port, having spent the previous 8 years in First-Fill Bourbon. This has resulted in a unique liquid which explodes with sweet and tangy red berries, homemade redcurrant jelly and Scottish oatcakes.

Something extra-special for this release is the Glen Elgin 2007: a UK exclusive bottled at a Cask Strength of 56% ABV. This 15-year-old has been fully matured in a single Oloroso Sherry Butt and delights with rich and indulgent fruit cake, with the high strength really enhancing those notes of rum-soaked raisins, demerara sugar and spice. The ideal companion for those chilly evenings.

These expressions and more are on their way to a retailer near you.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 470: D.R.K.N.S.S. by Asta Morris

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an enigmatic malt. D.R.K.N.S.S. or simply ‘Darkness’ is a PX sherry matured secret Lowland single malt bottled by the Belgian indie bottler Asta Morris, Mark’s good friend Bert Bruyneel. Allow Mark to introduce a new term to describe this whisky: ‘slobber whisky’. For it simply is that quaffable and delicious.

https://youtu.be/nkUW9Vrh9og

Samuel Gelston’s to Strike Gold with New Campaign

Samuel Gelston’s is bringing some gilded glamour to the UK this season with a series of exciting collaborations that explore the golden roots of its Irish Whiskey.

Award-winning Belfast-based mixologist Emily Doherty and leading gold prospector Vince Thurkettle will be fronting the new Gelston’s Gold Rush campaign, which will unveil gold inspired cocktail recipes, a gold panning event in the home of the brand and an exploration into Ireland’s prospecting past. Wild gold expert and jewellery maker Mark Bell will also be on hand to add some seasonal sparkle by creating a showstopping gold bottle of Samuel Gelston’s whiskey, which will be revealed in a festive competition this December.

Established in Belfast in the 1830s, Samuel Gelston’s was purchased by daring young Irishman Harry Neill in 1869 who made his fortune in Australia’s spectacular 1851 Gold Rush. Upon returning to Belfast, Harry used his new found wealth to rebuild the Gelston’s business and export his ‘liquid gold’ for the world to enjoy.

Vince explains: “I love all the gold rush stories and have prospected out in Australia in the area where the 1850s gold rush took place, and Harry made his fortune. I have recovered gold and treasure from a tragic shipwreck from that time, the ‘Royal Charter’ which was bringing gold miners and their families home – and carried about 150 million Euros worth of gold.  If Harry had been on that ship we wouldn’t now have these fabulous whiskeys.

“Whiskey and gold, two key ingredients to all the great gold rushes – I am so pleased that they are being brought together again, and absolutely delighted to be a part of this Gelston’s adventure.”

Mixologist Emily looked to the past to re-create a classic cocktail for today’s whiskey enthusiasts. She explains:

“My inspiration behind this drink was to take the classic ‘gold rush’ cocktail and put a modern twist on it. Hot honey is something that became very popular this year and there is a good reason, you get the sweetness and floral notes coming from the honey with the light spice and black pepper from the chilli. The other ingredients in this cocktail are the type of ingredients you see in a Margarita but they work incredibly well with whiskey, the orange juice opens up the sweet notes in the spirit and the salt rim balances out the sweetness.”

The Gelston’s Gold Rush

50ml Samuel Gelston’s Blended Irish whiskey

20ml Lime juice

30ml Fresh orange juice

10ml Hot honey *

Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into an iced punch or rocks glass, with a salt rim, and a burnt orange slice as garnish. *To make the hot honey, pick your favourite honey and add two hot chillies, or add in two teaspoons of dried chilli flakes, leave for two days then strain.

Samuel Gelston’s Spiced Star

Emily’s inspiration behind this drink is the iconic golden star on the Gelston’s bottle. And with the festive season fast approaching, she created this drink to enjoy on a cold winter day. She explains: “Samuel Gelstons Irish Cream Liqueur is a warm hug in a glass, it’s smooth, creamy and sweet, and perfect with hot coffee and spiced brown sugar syrup.”

50ml Samuel Gelstons Irish Cream Liqueur

10ml Spiced brown sugar syrup *

60ml Americano coffee

Double cream to top

Pour all ingredients into a steamed Irish coffee glass and layer your thick cream on top with a spoon. Garnish with the star anise. *To make your own spiced syrup mix one cup of brown sugar and one cup of hot water with your favourite spices, Emily’s are cinnamon, cloves and star anise.

Ireland has a glittering history when it comes to gold. Prospector Vince Thurkettle reveals:

• The Irish took part in all of the world’s great gold rushes. Two of the very few Irish adventurers who came home rich, are Gelston’s Harry Neill and Micheal MacGowan – who took eight years to walk to the Yukon gold rush, struck gold, and bought a farm when he returned home. 

• Ireland may be called the ‘Emerald Isle’, but it is certainly a ‘Golden Isle’. Natural gold has been found across the whole island, from ancient times right up to the present day.

• More Bronze Age hoards of gold items have been found in Ireland than anywhere else in Europe. A horde of 150 golden objects, weighing over 5 kg, were found in County Clare in 1854. Whilst the golden bog of Cullen was an absolute treasure trove of Bronze Age objects – tragically almost all of which were melted down for bullion.

• The Great Irish Gold Rush started in 1795 near Avoca, in the Wicklow mountains south of Dublin! But it is unlikely that this location was known to the Bronze Age people as over 9,000 ounces of gold was found, including large nuggets, in relatively easily worked ground. One of these huge nuggets has survived as it was made into a snuffbox for King George III.

• Croagh Patrick the holy mountain in County Mayo is known to be riddled with gold veins. Could this be why the mountain became sacred in ancient times? The mountain is much-loved and respected, attempts to mine it in the 1980s were soon stopped by the local people.

• There is currently huge interest in finding and recovering natural Irish gold.

The hobby of recreational gold panning is becoming increasingly popular, and several gold mining companies are working hard to develop commercial mines in Ireland.

https://samuelgelstons.com/

About Samuel Gelston’s

Samuel Gelston’s Old Irish whiskey was founded in 1830 by Samuel Gelston. It was a time when Irish whiskey was famous around the world.

Samuel, a wine and whiskey merchant from Belfast, made it his mission to source, blend and bottle the best Irish whiskey from across Ireland. At the time there were 88 licensed distilleries on the island, and Samuel selected the very highest quality liquids for each bottle.

In 1869, upon Samuel’s death, the business was bought by Harry J. Neill. Harry had previously left Ireland’s shores with his younger brother Percival in order to make their fortunes in the Australian Gold rush of 1851. Having set up and subsequently sold his successful provisions business in Melbourne & Geelong, Harry returned to Belfast and purchased Gelston’s. His brother travelled on to New Zealand to set up Messrs Neill & Co in Dunedin in 1882.

However, the Irish Whiskey landscape faced serious challenges as it entered the 20^th century, and the combined effects of World War I, the Irish War for Independence and finally Prohibition, resulted in the near collapse of the Irish Whiskey industry – which, in turn, led to the demise of Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey.

The brand remained with the Neill family, and five generations on it has now been brought back to life by Harry’s great great grandson, Johnny Neill. Johnny and well-known master distiller Frank McHardy made it their mission to journey across Ireland again to source, bottle and blend the best liquids they could find and Samuel Gelston’s Old Irish Whiskey was reborn.

The current collection includes Samuel Gelston’s Single Malt, Single Pot Still, 5 Year Old Single Malt, 10 Year Old Single Malt, 15YO Single Malt, 26 Year Old Single Malt. Cousins, Johnny & Sam Neill, descendants of Harry and Percival have joined forces on the latest launch that marries Johnny’s Irish Whiskey with Sam’s Pinot Noir New Zealand Wine Casks.

It’s been a few months since we last spoke and lots has been going on – not least the release of the Casks Of Lindores Oloroso Sherry Butt. We disgorged eighteen first-fill sherry butts, then diluted to our bottling strength of 49.4%. It’s a beautiful dram that rounds off the trilogy of the three casks we use at Lindores; if you haven’t yet had a chance to try it I strongly recommend you do.

October in the distillery is a great month and although I tempt fate, it’s possibly the easiest month to make spirit. The water temp and ambient temp are perfect and the process just hums.

Lorena , our blender, has been busy. Her nose and taste are used to give appraisal of private casks, a service that is well received. At the moment she is also evaluating where our core product MCDXCIV is on its journey of maturity. It’s amazing to observe a cask as it gains maturation in its early years – and then how big the subsequent changes. From 3yo to a 4yo is a huge jump. We know that the STR gives early maturation, so we have to make sure that our blend ratio of the three casks is correct to keep our chosen balance, so that a single type of cask does not become too dominant. Everything is calibrated against the highly discriminating measure of Lorena’s nose!

Last but not least in the team Colin and Charles strive to keep the quality of the spirit at the high standard we expect, whilst ensuring the yields of spirit are where we set our targets. All of that against the fact that everything is getting more expensive; it’s the old adage of getting balance between quality / quantity / cost. All three are directly linked, but the ethos at Lindores is that the quality of the spirit MUST always remain. Drew made this promise a few years ago and it’s a promise we will always want to keep.

Next month we should be able to tell you about our next special run of malt; and also some other things we are looking at to keep us progressive while still ensuring that the past informs the future. Until then stay safe, stay well!

Slàinte
Gary Haggart
Distillery Manager

Hard Truth’s Maple Bourbon Cream 

‘Neat’ Treats for Fall & Holiday Seasons

Nashville, IN – The folks at Hard Truth Distilling Co. have the perfect flavors to sip for the fall and holiday seasons. Its Maple Bourbon Cream invokes maple candy, toasted pecan, sweet cream and oak notes to those seeking a delicious drink while warming up next to a fire.

While the test of a great spirit is how it tastes on its own—and that’s where Hard Truth’s Maple Bourbon Cream really delivers—the fall and holiday seasons spark some delicious and creative cocktail recipes for both brands.

Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream

“I know mixologists, professional and amateur alike, will have fun with Maple Bourbon Cream,” says Bryan Smith, Hard Truth Distilling Co. Master Distiller. “But I encourage everyone to start out drinking it neat or over ice to really understand and appreciate it because there is a lot going on in that bottle.”

Smith said his team spent many months finding the perfect balance points and complexity among Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream’s elements — the bold depth of the straight bourbon whiskey, the richness of natural, fresh dairy cream, and the familiar, sweet indulgence of pure maple syrup.

Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream’s aroma and taste profile sound like something off a dessert menu (for adults, of course). Take a sip and taste a beautifully complex combination of luscious cream, sweet maple, bold bourbon, brown sugar, marshmallow, and pecan—with a finish that is rich and creamy with notes of toffee and nougat, plus warm bourbon and maple.

Smith said his team’s own personal tastes were not the only factor that drove the development of Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream. Research indicated that, since 2021, food trends have been leaning heavily toward comfort and simplicity. Givaudan, a Swiss multinational manufacturer of flavors, reported in their proprietary Mood & Emotions research that consumers associate maple with the emotion of happiness. 

Product Details

Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream is bottled at 30 proof with a 15% ABV. It is available in 750 mL bottles with a suggested retail price of $29.99.

For more information on where to purchase Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream or any other Hard Truth product, visit: hardtruthdistilling.com/spirit-finder.

Visit hardtruth.com for the complete Hard Truth experience.

About Hard Truth Distilling Co. 

Headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. produces more than 20 premium spirits, including critically acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and top-selling Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream. Hard Truth’s spirits are distributed throughout Indiana and in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Texas, Michigan, and Missouri with several more states coming on board in 2022.

Founded in 2015, Hard Truth Distilling Co. quickly outgrew its original production facility, and, by 2017, construction had begun on its current facility, an 18,000-square-foot distillery equipped with a state-of-the-art Vendome Copper & Brass distilling system. Hard Truth’s destination campus spans 325 wooded acres in Brown County, Indiana — an artists’ colony and tourist destination known for its natural beauty. 

HARD TRUTH MAPLE BOURBON CREAM RECIPES

HARD TRUTH PUMPKIN MAPLE MARTINI

INGREDIENTS:
3 oz. Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream; 3 bar spoons of pumpkin pie filling
1 Tbsp. Granulated sugar
1⁄2 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1⁄4 Tbsp. Pumpkin pie spice

CRAFT:

Mix cinnamon, sugar and pumpkin pie spice together, then use the mixture to rim a coupe glass. Set aside.

Add Maple Bourbon Cream and pumpkin pie filling to bar shaker, then top with ice. Cover, and shake to chill.

Single strain into prepared glass, then sprinkle a pinch of the spice mixture over the top of the drink to garnish.

HARD TRUTH MAPLE BOURBON BALL MARTINI

INGREDIENTS:
4 oz. Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream; 2 bar spoons chocolate syrup; chocolate syrup drizzle

CRAFT:

Drizzle inside of a coupe glass with chocolate syrup. Set aside.

Add Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream and chocolate syrup to ice-filled bar shaker. Cover, and shake to chill.

Strain into prepared coupe glass and serve.

HARD TRUTH MAPLE BOURBON HOT CHOCOLATE

INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream 6 oz. Hot chocolate
Your favorite hot chocolate toppings

CRAFT:

Add Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream and hot chocolate to your favorite mug.

Top as desired with whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, mini marshmallows and serve.