HANDMADE MALT
Glenturret Distillery has released a rare, 28-year-old single cask malt whisky, described as the best cask that has ever been produced by Scotland’s oldest working distillery.
Only 240 bottles of The Brock Malloy Edition #Cask328 (70cl, bottled at cask-strength) will be available to buy online exclusively and they are expected to be snapped up by whisky enthusiasts and collectors.
Stuart Cassells, general manager of The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery, said: “The Glenturret single malt is a hidden gem in the whisky world – a genuinely handmade malt crafted with passion and care, or, as we like to say: by hand and by heart. Cask 328 has always been known to be special and I’m delighted we are able to give whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to taste this rare and exceptional whisky.”
Each of the 240 bottles is hand-numbered and signed by Neil Cameron, Glenturret’s distillery manager, and priced at £200 for 70cl.
TEA FOR TWO
Edinburgh’s historic Signet Library has thrown open its newly-refurbished doors to become a glamorous afternoon tea venue. In partnership with premium caterer Heritage Portfolio, it aims to offer the finest in food and drink throughout the year. Called Colonnades, which is a reference to the classical pillars that grace the building, the venue will have its own Tea Sommelier, Champagne experts and mixologists and an on-site pastry chef, with all food cooked from scratch and served in style.
Colonnades will work in partnership with some of Scotland’s best food producers such as the Wee Tea Company and Aberdeenshire-based Summerhouse Drinks, alongside the Signet Library’s favourite tipple: Pommery Champagne. The signature afternoon tea will change with the seasons and reflect the best of Scottish produce. A gluten-free afternoon tea option will feature, alongside a range of seasonal specialities and the best in Champagne and cocktails.
RETURN OF LAPHROAIG
Established in 1815, this year sees the 200th anniversary of Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. To commemorate the occasion, Laphroaig has released a very special and limited release of Laphroaig 15 Year Old.
A long revered expression in the Laphroaig range, Laphroaig 15 Year Old was originally launched more than 30 years ago, with a lower level of peat and a higher bottling strength of 43% all combining to give the whisky a mellow, rounded taste, its briny orchard fruits adding bite and depth, the overall feel rich and smoky.
Laphroaig 15 Year Old is available in all good whisky retailers now, with a RRP of £75, with additional new releases planned across the year.
CAITHNESS GIN
Rock Rose Gin, made at Dunnet Bay Distillery in Caithness, is making waves in the drinks industry, gaining a plethora of awards in the UK and beyond. The gin, which is hand-distilled, features botanicals hand-foraged from local cliffs and forests to create a gin with a unique flavour profile.
The gin takes its name from Rhodiola rosea (a rose in the rocks), which was discovered on the distillery’s first botanical forage along the Caithness cliffs.
It is made by husband and wife team Martin and Claire Murray, and priced at £34 for a 70cl bottle.
Mr Murray said: “Rock Rose Gin has been three years in the making and features our unique ‘Rock Rose’, a precious plant that was once pillaged by the Vikings who believed it would give them extra strength and make them live to 200. We have been blown away by its sell-out success and the response from the industry to date, especially as this time last year we only had a field and a dream! We are so proud to now be able to share our wee taste of the Highlands with the rest of the UK.”
NOT JUST FOR BURNS NIGHT
Scotty Brand has introduced a rather unusual dish to its range – fresh haggis soup. Michael Jarvis from the firm said: “We are delighted to be launching what we believe to be the first fresh haggis soup. Inspiration for producing our haggis soup came from the wonderful recipes found in leading restaurants and mixing it with Scotty Brand’s principles of good, honest wholesome food, that makes the most of Scotland’s natural assets. It doesn’t get much more Scottish than this!”
Made with haggis, neeps and tatties, it is a Burns’ supper that you can enjoy all year round and having tried it for ourselves, can say it’s a pretty tasty addition to shopping basket. You’ll find the soup in Asda stores, priced £1.70 for a 550g pot.
CHOCS AWAY
Choc Shot has added two new flavours to its natural liquid chocolate range: Choc Shot Orange Spice and Choc Shot Coconut. Since launching 18 months ago, the product has become a runaway success.
The secret of its success is its versatility. Ideal for drizzling direct over fruit, porridge, pancakes, yoghurt and ice-cream, it’s also perfect for adding to shakes and smoothies, replacing chocolate spread on toast and for healthier baking (use in place of cocoa and sugar in recipes) as well as for filling and topping cakes.
Containing only natural ingredients and with only 14 calores per teaspoon, it’s become a firm favourite with dieters while having a low GI makes it a popular choice for diabetics. Made in the UK and priced at £3.50 for 320g you’ll find it in supermarkets and health food stores nationally.