Scottish craft spirits producer, The Glasgow Distillery Company, has announced the launch of a collection of one-off releases of aged Speyside single malts inspired by Greek mythology.The first release in the collection is Prometheus, a 26-year-old Speyside single malt of secret origins that combines the smoky influence of peated barley with the zesty and floral notes typical of this region.
The name was inspired by the classical foundations of Greek Mythology, the great Titans, who were renowned for their strength, passion and charisma. Prometheus was one of the most renowned Titans and is remembered today for his great gift to man: fire.
Today, the spirit of Prometheus lives, say the Glasgow Distillery Company, on as champion of man and bringer of fire in the Prometheus 26-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky which combines the peaty fire of the islands with the rich, bright complexity of the Highlands.
To toast the start of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky has launched two new limited edition blended Scotch whiskies, an 18 and 21 Year Old. Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky has introduced the additional expressions as an extension to the range that currently features the popular 8yo blend, described by Jim Murray as a ‘superstar whisky that gives us all reason to live’. A fruity and well-balanced 12yo and a limited edition, elegant 50yo, of which only 400 bottles were ever produced, complete the selection.
Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky is owned by one of Scotland’s leading, independent, family-owned distillers, Ian Macleod Distillers. Neil Boyd, Commercial Director of Malts for Ian Macleod Distillers, said, “The Isle of Skye Blended Scotch Whisky range was created based on a 19th century family recipe that blends distinctive peaty Island and mellow Speyside malts. Unusually for blends, each whisky in the recipe has been aged for a minimum of eight years.”
Firefly Moonshine, is a new range of flavoured spirits which are supplied in jars. Distributed in the UK by Hi-Spirits, Firefly Moonshine is produced at the Firefly Distillery in South Carolina. Produced in the distillery’s two home-made pot stills, Firefly Moonshine is supplied in traditional mason jars, and is designed to be served as a shot or with a mixer as a long drink. Along with original White Lightning clear spirit, flavours include Apple Pie, Caramel, Cherry, Peach, Strawberry and Blackberry. Each jar is supplied with a unique pour spout which allows bar staff to serve a shot of Moonshine quickly and simply from the jar.
Angels’ Nectar, a new Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, inspired by the Angels’ Share, has been launched, by Highfern Ltd, a new drinks business founded by Robert Ransom.
At any one time, there are an estimated twenty million casks maturing across Scotland, all exposed to what is affectionately called ‘the Angels’ Share’, the evaporation from casks during maturation. The Angels take their pick; enjoying some casks more than others, whilst hard working distillers watch their efforts disappear.
The Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a re-creation of the Angels’ Share, bottled for whisky drinkers to savour. Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is unusually bottled at natural colour, has a sweet nose of apple and fruit syrup, a taste of heather honey and lemon, and a hint of spice on the finish.
Ron Zacapa, the ultra-premium rum from Diageo Reserve, has launched a new limited edition blend, Reserva Limitada 2014, into the UK market. It is the second in an annual series of vintage limited editions, to be released with a different blend of rums hand selected by Master Blender Lorena Vasquez.
Ron Zacapa Reserva Limitada 2014 is a blend of reserve rums aged between six and 24 years in barrels of White Oak and French Oak, providing a complex, 45% ABV blend. The complexity of Reserva Limitada 2014 is created by slow-aging barrels of Zacapa in a herb garden created high above the clouds in the cool temperate climate of the Guatemalan highlands for two years.
Gordon Castle Scotland has launched its Gordon Castle Gin. It is the first product to be launched nationwide from Gordon Castle’s exclusive new range of food, drink and lifestyle products. The gin has been produced for Gordon Castle, using botanicals from its restored Walled Garden and will be distributed by Gordon & MacPhail.
Angus Gordon Lennox, owner of Gordon Castle, said, “The mix of botanicals, grown in the garden here at Gordon Castle, gives it a uniquely crisp and fresh flavour and we are quietly confident that this small batch, hand-crafted gin will appeal to all gin drinkers who also love provenance, history and a romantic story.”
Speaking about the company’s new partnership with Gordon Castle, Stephen Rankin, UK Sales Director at Gordon & MacPhail, said, “We are honoured to be working alongside the team at Gordon Castle to distribute this new gin and bring it to market. Our family business has prided itself on producing and marketing the finest premium spirits for over 100 years and it seems fitting that we should now be working with another historic Speyside family to extend our drinks stable using ancient distilling techniques.”