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Inside Angel’s Envy – Bartending and the Art of Bitters with Alex Staub

Inside Angel’s Envy

Bartending and the Art of Bitters with Alex Staub

Alex Staub has been working behind our Finishing Room bar since the earliest days of the distillery. In March of 2020, he’ll begin leading a workshop teaching guests how to create their own bitters and incorporate them into their cocktails. We sat down with Alex to discuss his professional history and what inspires him to craft his own bitters.

Alex Staub

Tell us about your time at the Angel’s Envy distillery—what have you found rewarding? What’s been different from other jobs? Have there been any unique challenges?

I was fortunate enough to work the inaugural event at Angel’s Envy. Before there was an actual bar program in place, I was working for the restaurant that catered the ribbon cutting event. We must have done a decent job because we were asked to come back and work some of the other private events hosted in the Finishing Room. Back then, the only cocktails on our menu were our signature cocktail, The Henderson, and a classic Manhattan. It is very rewarding to see how far we’ve come since those first few events and to see how our menu has evolved to incorporate handcrafted bitters, ingredients and elaborate garnishes. One of the most enjoyable challenges of the job is consistently trying to outdo ourselves. Another perk of this job is the freedom to create. Every other bar program that I’ve ever been a part of has had their own prefabricated menu created by their own beverage director. At Angel’s Envy our menu is a collaborative effort from the bar team. We won’t put a drink on our menu that doesn’t get a unanimous “Yes” from everyone.

What do you like about crafting bitters? What initially drew you to it?
My girlfriend bought me a book while she was on a sales trip to San Francisco called Drinking the Devil’s Acre: A Love Letter from San Francisco and Her Cocktails by Duggan McDonnell and Luke Abiol that has a basic aromatic bitters recipe in it. I brought that book to the bar and that recipe kind of got the ball rolling for our team making bitters and tinctures (extracts). I still have a ton of bookmarks in that book from different recipes we’ve played around with. I guess my girlfriend buying me that book and the creative freedom that I have here at Angel’s Envy is what really got me into crafting bitters.

Can you walk us through what goes into creating a batch of bitters? Is there a simple recipe you’d recommend for people to try at home?
There are a lot of different ways to do it but the way that I like to make bitters is pretty simple. I have a big box full of little mason jars with different tinctures and bittering agents in them that I play around with. To make the tinctures, I combine a blend of overproof vodka and a selection of ingredients such as peels, roots, herbs and spices from our bar’s “toolbox.” I currently have about 60 tinctures to play with.

After the tinctures sit for a while and taste the way I want, I’ll blend flavors that I think might go well together in a very small batch until I have something that I like. I often utilize The Flavor Bible by Karen A. Page and Andrew Dornenburg to find flavors that pair well. It’s a great resource for creating bitters, cocktails or cooking at home.

Once I have a good idea of what flavors I want for the bitters, I’ll begin working on making a larger batch by combining the raw ingredients in large mason jar and then adding 100 proof vodka. Every couple of days I’ll give the mason jar a shake and taste the mixture to see how fast or slow it is infusing. I don’t really have a set amount of time that I let them infuse. I taste them frequently and when they taste the way I want them to, I’ll strain out the solid ingredients first through a mesh strainer, then for a second time through a coffee filter. It’s a lot of trial and error. For every recipe I’m happy with there are dozens of failed attempts. I think that’s the fun part. It’s okay to mess up and learn from those errors. When you have a final product that you’re happy with it is very satisfying.

Do you have any suggestions for how people should use their bitters? Is there a cocktail recipe you’d be willing to share?
I forget where I heard this, otherwise I would totally give them credit. A while ago someone told me to think of bitters as the salt and pepper of cocktails. That really resonated with me. Bitters can help balance the sweetness or acidity of a drink while subtly adding a hint of flavor or aroma on the back end. The right bitters can turn an okay cocktail into a great cocktail. You just need to learn through trial and error what flavors will complement each other. Bitters are cool because they can add those desired flavors, aromas and complexity to your drink without noticeably increasing the volume in your glass. If you have a cocktail that you’re working on that is almost right but missing something, you can give it a few dashes of the right bitter and you’ll have a great drink.

My orange bitters recipe is simple and can be used in many different cocktails. You’ll need orange peels, coriander, timut peppercorn and gentian root. I start by filling a quart sized mason jar with about a cup of orange peels. Then I’ll add a tablespoon of coriander seeds, a tablespoon of timut peppercorn and a tablespoon of gentian root. After that you fill your jar with 100 proof vodka and wait. Every couple of days shake your mixture and give it a taste. When it has a flavor that you like, strain it and it’s ready to use. It usually takes about two weeks before it starts tasting right. You can store it in a clean mason jar or put it into smaller jars. This is going to be a large batch for your home bar but works fine for our bar at the distillery. We go through a ton of orange bitters, so I always have a batch in rotation. I recommend trying out these homemade bitters in a classic Old Fashioned.

How did you get your start in the service industry? How did you find your way behind the bar?
When I was 16 I landed a job as a server assistant in a popular chain restaurant, but it wasn’t until I found an opportunity at a local Louisville restaurant that I really started to understand the ins and outs of the service industry, and the staff became like a family to me. I started as a part time busser, worked my way up to becoming a waiter. Eventually I found myself behind the bar where I tried Angel’s Envy Finished in Port Wine Barrels for the first time. Angel’s Envy was a fresh, new product back then and one of my co-workers who is a whiskey enthusiast was very excited about us adding it to our menu. We tried it together and we were both blown away! There aren’t a whole lot of other spirits that I vividly remember trying for the first time—at least none that resonated with me the way Angel’s Envy did.

What is it that you enjoy about the work? What keeps you involved and interested in what you do?
There are a lot of things that I enjoy about the work, but I’d say that here at Angel’s Envy, I really enjoy the guest’s reactions to a lot of our cocktails and just seeing the bar in general. It wasn’t until recently that a distillery could legally offer a cocktail experience at the end of a tour, so for the first couple years we were open, the bar was a real surprise and delight. Now here we are into our third year and I have regulars! We have guests who have taken the tour multiple times or attended one of our monthly cocktail classes to show their friends and family our cocktail bar. That is amazing to me. I think that is what keeps me interested in what I do.

Orange Bitters Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Cup orange peels
1 Tablespoon coriander seeds
1 Tablespoon timut peppercorn
1 Tablespoon gentian root
1 Quart 100 proof vodka

Instructions:

Fill quart-sized mason jar with all ingredients and top with vodka. Shake the jar every few days, and taste to check the flavor around the two-week mark. Once it’s reached the desired flavor, store in a clean jar, or smaller clean jars. Add a few dashes to your favorite cocktails, particularly the Old Fashioned.

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BOWMORE® MASTERS’ SELECTION UNITES THE WORLDS OF WHISKY MAKING AND AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN

BOWMORE® MASTERS’ SELECTION UNITES THE WORLDS OF WHISKY MAKING AND AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN

  • New limited-edition single malt whisky combines the mastery of Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer and Bowmore’s Master Whisky Blender
  • Each Master’s unique understanding of proportionality has created a whisky with exquisite depth and balance. 
  • For the first time, Bowmore has adopted the Golden Ratio principle to create a new whisky
  • Bowmore Masters’ Selection is available from November 2021

8 November 2021, Islay, UK: A shared commitment to heritage, craftsmanship and innovation unites the worlds of whisky making and automotive design with the creation of Bowmore® Masters’ Selection; the first single malt whisky to be made by Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky in collaboration with Aston Martin.


Imagined and defined by two Masters; Bowmore Master Whisky Blender Ron Welsh and Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, Bowmore Masters’ Selection bridges two distinct worlds in a powerful, yet inspiring way. At its heart is a mutual trust and respect for one other’s worlds and a passion to discover and learn from each other.  Each Master imparts their own creativity and character, but also makes an indelible mark, like leaving their own unique fingerprint, on every single creation

Marek Reichman, has often spoken about the concept of the ‘Golden Ratio’ – the mathematical ratio found in nature that creates aesthetically pleasing compositions -, which sits at the heart of the design of every Aston Martin. Absolute beauty can be created when you achieve a perfect relationship between each proportion of the car.

Reichman explains: “Proportionality defines every precise detail of designing an Aston Martin. We are constantly striving to achieve the Golden Ratio; the optimal of proportions.  And it is this force which guides the creation of absolute beauty. To achieve this, we must combine our skill, passion and experience. Coming together with Ron just brings a whole new perspective on this and is hugely inspiring and enlightening. This whisky perfectly and harmoniously brings us together to create a beautiful, yet powerful equilibrium.”

For Bowmore, proportions define character and shape flavour combinations; from cask selection and age to blending. Ron Welsh, Master Blender, Bowmore, explains, “For the first time with this whisky, we have adopted the Golden Ratio to inspire each of the elements bringing their own unique flavours and selecting the optimal casks to forge the desired character, taking inspiration from Marek and his team.  What seems totally contrasting is, in fact, perfectly balanced and proportionate. Working with Marek has given me a new lens from which to explore whisky making.  This whisky serves as a celebration of our unified knowledge and experience; our shared passions, values and ideas.”

Taking inspiration from an engineered approach, this whisky incorporates the divine proportion of 61.8% formed from a base of 21 year old Bowmore matured in first fill Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso sherry casks. The remaining parts are made up of exact ratios of each other, in line with the Golden Ratio theory, and include exceptionally aged Bowmore matured for over 35 years.

For this single malt, a powerful and complex yet sweet warming, the creators seems, on the face, to have created absolute contrast but in reality, they have captured perfect balance and proportion. With a clear nod to Aston Martin in the very creation of this Bowmore whisky, it exudes a sophistication and complexity which is truly considered yet promises a thrilling taste experience.

Powerful yet elegant; from sweet to spice; sherry to coffee; honey to pepper – the perfect proportions to achieve absolute depth and balance.

Bowmore Masters’ Selection is available in key global markets including UK, Germany, Canada, USA and China at an RSP of US$300 (ex VAT/duty) from November onwards.

https://www.drinksmart.com/reducing-drunk-driving-or-drink-driving

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The Macallan Harmony Collection chef Jordi Roca of three Michelin star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca
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The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao

The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao

Inspired by our deep-rooted connection to nature for nearly 200 years, The Macallan Harmony Collection is an exploration into the world of sustainable packaging. It fuses innovative techniques with materials from the natural world at the end of their life to see them reborn with a renewed purpose.

The Macallan Harmony Collection

The Macallan Harmony Collection

An exceptionally rich single malt whisky characterised by its deep, dark chocolate profile.

The Harmony Collection Rich Cacao is now out of stock but can be found in specialist whisky retailers globally.

AN EXPLORATION OF CHOCOLATE

The Macallan Harmony Collection

Continuing our long-standing partnership with the https://www.themacallan.com/, The Harmony Collection Rich Cacao is a collaboration with Jordi Roca and Casa Cacao to bring the worlds of chocolate and whisky to life.

The Harmony Collection Rich Cacao is the first release in a series exploring the world of sustainable packaging. It brings together innovative techniques with materials from the natural world at the end of their life, to see them reborn with a renewed purpose.

CASA CACAO

In 2020, the Roca brothers opened Casa Cacao, a hotel and chocolate factory in central Girona, Spain, the same town as their three Michelin star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca. Led by pastry chef Jordi Roca, Casa Cacao comprises 15 hotel bedrooms, a chocolate workshop, chocolate shop and chocolate factory.

The Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan travelled to Girona to visit Casa Cacao, and she immersed herself in the world of chocolate, exploring their chocolate-making process and learning about the distinctive flavour profiles.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

Working in collaboration with Jordi Roca, acknowledged as one of the best and most creative pastry chefs in the world, and with exceptional chocolatier, Damian Allsop, I went on a journey of discovery, learning of the craftsmanship, passion and creativity which goes into making chocolate.

 Polly Logan The Macallan Whisky Maker

A collaboration with renowned pastry chef Jordi Roca of three Michelin star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, this release brings the worlds of chocolate and whisky to life. To create the first limited edition whisky in a new annual release series, The Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan embarked on a unique journey to Girona, Spain, where she immersed herself in the world of chocolate, exploring the chocolate-making process and uncovering the distinctive flavour profiles at Casa Cacao.

Polly worked with Jordi Roca, owner of the famed chocolate boutique and hotel, Casa Cacao and the youngest of the acclaimed Roca brothers. As part of the exploration, she also spent time with master chocolatier of Casa Cacao, Damien Allsop.

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

In homage to its chocolate influence, The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao is presented in a 100% recyclable gift box, made using discarded husks from cacao pods.
A by-product in the chocolate-making process, these husks would have been sent to landfill or destroyed but have now been reborn with a renewed purpose.

BRINGING TOGETHER CHOCOLATE AND WHISKY

Through this unique experience, Polly took inspiration from the duo’s passion, knowledge and creativity to create The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao. She explored The Macallan’s maturing casks to seek out whisky with rare indulgent chocolate notes that would harmoniously pair with fine chocolates for a rich and unique tasting experience.

Both take time and exceptional attention to detail, with even the slightest changes to the process encouraging different aromas and flavours to emerge.

 Polly Logan The Macallan Whisky Maker

THE EXPERIENCE

  • COLOUR

    Toasted cacao beans

  • AROMA

    Chocolate fondant, honey, oak, zesty lime and ginger

  • PALATE

    Dark chocolate, honey, dates, vanilla and cinnamon.

  • FINISH

    Long with rich chocolate.

  • ABV

    44%

For this expression, I sought out a specific chocolate note in The Macallan’s traditional sherry seasoned European oak casks and combined this with a vanilla note imparted by sherry seasoned American oak casks to sweeten the slightly bitter chocolate note I had found. This exquisite single malt offers a delightful whisky and chocolate pairing experience and the chance to elevate the enjoyment of The Macallan to a new dimension.

 Polly Logan The Macallan Whisky Maker

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Macallan Rare Cask, 2021 

Macallan Rare Cask, 2021

The Macallan Rare Cask features a deep ruby mahogany colour and displays an intense sweet raisin note, coupled with a rich, velvety smooth mouthfeel and complexity to provide an indulgent and highly sensorial whisky experience.

ABV : 43% | VOLUME : 70CL

RARE CASK, 2021 RELEASE

A Rare and Special Discovery

Please visit our https://www.themacallan.com/ on how to place an order in Spain.

 EL PRODUCTO ACTUALMENTE ESTÁ AGOTADO O NO DISPONIBLE PARA LA VENTA EN SU UBICACIÓN ESTAMOS ENTREGANDO A:

THE EXPERIENCE

  • COLOUR

    Ruby Mahogany

  • NOSE

    Soft notes of vanilla with rich raisin, followed by a sweet fusion of fresh apple, lemon and orange.

  • PALATE

    An intense sweet raisin dominates before giving way to vanilla and dark chocolate, with layers of light citrus zest.

  • FINISH

    Long, rich and velvety.

  • ABV

Rare Cask

A QUEST FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY

Rare Cask is crafted from the finest and rarest sherry seasoned oak casks, unearthed by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team using their knowledge, skill, passion, and creativity in their quest to seek out the extraordinary.

This single malt whisky reveals the remarkable art and science of the Whisky Maker in selecting unique oak casks that exhibit a distinctive and complex flavour profile. They were curated for maturation by The Macallan Master of Wood and delivered to the exacting specifications of The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team to create Rare Cask. This luxurious expression highlights the magic and science in The Macallan’s intricate whisky making process, as the whisky maker identifies the exceptional oak casks which impart the intense and highly complex flavour profile.

Soft aromas of vanilla with rich raisin lead the journey of discovery into this single malt whisky, followed by a sweet fusion of fresh apple, lemon and orange. Intense sweet raisin flavours dominate the palate, before giving way to vanilla and dark chocolate, with layers of light citrus zest. The finish is long, rich and velvety to offer a decadent whisky experience that will leave a lasting impression.

Every oak cask has its own personality, with little differences that make them unique. From time to time The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team discovers casks maturing in our warehouses which stand out from the others.

 Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker

Marks of Distinction

FROM THE CASK

Every Macallan single malt reveals the unrivalled commitment to the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been known since it was established in 1824. It is an expression of our enduring desire to go beyond ordinary, to seek out the extraordinary, and create peerless single malts.

Our reputation for the extraordinary is characterised by the exceptional oak casks for which The Macallan is renowned. Sourced, crafted, toasted and seasoned under the watchful eye of the Master of Wood, the hand-picked casks are delivered to the demanding specifications of the Whisky Mastery Team. It is the oak that makes the greatest contribution to the quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours at the heart of this single malt whisky.

Once filled, the maturing spirit remains undisturbed in the same casks for the necessary number of years it needs to be worthy of its destined Macallan expression. It is these oak casks that make the greatest contribution to the quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours which lie at the heart of The Macallan single malt.

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YAMAZAKI 55-YEAR-OLD JAPANESE WHISKY

FROM YAMAZAKI,

The birthplace of Japanese Whisky.

Introducing Single Malt Whisky Yamazaki 55 Years Old. The oldest single malt whisky in the history of the House of Suntory. Bottled in 2020.

CRAFTED BY TIME.

In its much anticipated first release of the Yamazaki 55, the House of  Suntory pays tribute to the passage of time. It was in Showa 38 (1963)  that Kotobukiya was renamed Suntory after Keizo Saji succeeded his father, founder Shinjiro Torii as the House’s Second Generation  Master Blender. Keizo was charged to bring his father’s dream to life,  creating not only the quality liquid gold but a quintessentially Japanese experience and lifestyle that rooted Suntory Whisky as the people’s choice.

Today, the House of Suntory is not only regarded as one of the most awarded distillers but as a House that has consistently introduced  Japanese Whisky as a cultural experience to the world.

Keizo Saji and Shinjiro Torii

TOUCHED BY THE HAND OF SHINJIRO TORII,  YAMAZAKI 55 REACHES OUT ACROSS TIME.

A spiritual blend highlighting the Mizunara cask whisky distilled in 1960 under the supervision of founder Shinjiro Torii and the White Oak cask whisky distilled in 1964. Each matured, amber drop reveals  a complex and mystical Yamazaki-ness the world has yet to discover.

Yamazaki 55 is the House of Suntory’s tribute to the passage of time.

THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY’S ART OF AGING

In the world of whisky, we are often led to believe that age is the defining criteria of quality. That the more aged the whisky, the more precious it is. The House of Suntory has consistently challenged this convention because like anything else, the truth is not so simple. Fifth Generation Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo demonstrated this belief with the launch of Yamazaki Distiller’s  Reserve in 2014 that changed perception of no age statements,  highlighting the young bloomers – the fruity and exuberant malt  whiskies as “ young talents ”, receiving worldly acclaim.

The House of Suntory has always believed that like people, each  malt whisky has its own narrative. Each whisky celebrating its own  peak regardless of age.

There are both young and late bloomers.
With the Yamazaki 55, Fukuyo faced an ironic challenge confronting the complexity of working with rare old whiskies. When he acknowledged imperfections in the casks of 1964, the challenge was  to enhance the potential of these late bloomers, to unveil a Yamazaki-ness not known before.

Fukuyo worked closely at hand with Shingo Torii, Third Generation  Master Blender, to find the right creative alchemy and master the signature art of blending to properly reveal the particular depth,  complexity and wisdom that is Yamazaki 55. What Fukuyo respected throughout this process was a combination of the passage of time and what the Japanese refer to as Wabisabi – the imperfections that make up perfection.

‘‘ Very old Scotch Whiskies gave me this impression of them being perfect Greek sculptures with  beautiful toned beauty. Instantly impressive as a piece of art. But the Yamazaki 55 is more like an old Buddhist statue. Calm and mysterious.  It takes time to take in its inner beauty with the smell of Japanese incense and stripped old wood,  like the Toshodaiji Temple in Nara. ’’

Shinji Fukuyo and Shingo Torii

TASTING NOTES

COLOR
Deep amber distinctive of Mizunara casks.

NOSE
A robust aroma redolent of sandal wood.  A sweet, mature bouquet like well-ripened fruit.

PALATE
A soft, smooth first sip that blossoms in the mouth with flavor.
A mixture of sweet and slightly bitter, followed by a woody note
from the Mizunara cask.

FINISH
Slightly bitter, a fragrance like scented wood and a hint of smokiness.
A sweet, rich, lingering finish.

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LÉGENDAIREQUINTESSENCE DU TEMPS
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FERRAND COGNAC – Legendary Quintessence of Time

LEGENDARYQUINTESSENCE OF TIME
FERRAND COGNAC

L’HÉRITAGE DE LA VIGNE

Stretching deep into the fertile soil and stretching back through the ages, the vines that adorn the gentle slopes of Grande Champagne de Cognac turn their luscious fruits in the sun like homages to Mother Nature. These ancient vineyards – the Premier Cru de Cognac – are our homeland, the genesis of rare and precious cognacs with a unique minerality and finesse that reflect the blessings of this land of legend. Each grape is a world in itself: a microcosm, an exceptional terroir of Cretaceous limestones, warmed by abundant sun and cooled by the ocean breeze, like no other place on earth.

THE DIVINE INTERVENTION OF TIME

Under the Ferrand family mansion, built in 1861, our Chais Paradis is guarded by two zealous angels: Time and Patience. Together, they work their magic on spirits that age in noble wood barrels. The oldest contain messages left by missing craftsmen, to be deciphered by those lucky enough to discover them.

When the angels are satisfied and the cognacs they have kept reach their peak of perfection, it is time to give a final transcendent touch. The contents of the old barrels are transferred to a wooden barrel where the magic of assembly takes place. The very particular effect of wood stripes on the barrel is due to the staves which are gradually replaced by new ones every few years to give even more complexity and finesse to the whole.

REALIZATION OF A MASTERPIECE

Alexandre Gabriel, Cellar Master of Maison Ferrand for over 30 years, embarks on each creation with a unique vision. For Légendaire, the masterpiece of Cognac Ferrand, he composes a blend of the most venerable cognacs from Paradise. Each cognac which lends its voice to the harmony of Légendaire brings a unique tone, echoing its particular aromatic profile, its length of aging and the share offered to the angels. The striped barrel in which the blend is made only produces 500 bottles of a truly sublime and unique cognac. This is the ultimate expression of the pursuit of perfection that is the hallmark of Cognac Ferrand.

LÉGENDAIREQUINTESSENCE DU TEMPS

LÉGENDAIREQUINTESSENCE DU TEMPS

THE ESSENCE OF TIME, PRESERVED IN THE CRYSTAL

A cognac as distinguished and rare as Légendaire is intended to be served in a decanter as impressive as the unrivaled spirit it contains. The illustrious master crystal makers of Waltersperger have created a container worthy of this cognac, a hand-blown crystal decanter, made in the heart of the Bresle valley in Haute-Normandie, France. Like Cognac Ferrand, which never ceases to defend the art and craftsmanship of cognac, Waltersperger embodies the know-how and quality that have characterized the tradition of crystal making in the Bresle valley since the 15th century. A work of art in itself, the crystal decanter recounts the wonders of Legendary in beautifully crafted imagery.

LIVE THE SUBLIME

Thanks to the many lives that Légendaire has lived in Chais Paradis, the ultimate cognac reveals notes of rancio of chocolate, prune, sandalwood, tobacco and nutmeg. Rare sweetness and complexity, the subtly spicy aromas of clove, cardamom, pepper and paprika mingle with the richness of buttered caramel, almond, vanilla and honey. A floral and fruity profile follows with dried rose, jasmine, saffron, passion fruit and old port wine.

The final stage of the Légendaire tasting evokes tangerine, blackberry and hawthorn combined with foam, cocoa and incense, reinforcing the transcendent sensation of fullness and depth. Like the noble grape, Legendary contains multitudes, a microcosm of the wonders of nature and centuries of craftsmanship that culminate in this moment.

www.ferrandcognac.com

 

 

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GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage

There’s nothing quite like a fancy freebie to hurry me to the keyboard. Indeed, there’s double – no, triple – the reason I’m excited about this whisky.

Let’s put aside the rather lovely gift set, which landed on the doormat of Malt Towers recently. This is a new GlenDronach, which is always rather lovely – a potent spirit in a punchy puncheon, to somewhat stretch the alliteration. Thirdly, and perhaps most splendidly, it is a tie-in to perhaps my most eagerly anticipated film of this year (well, it runs a close second to the new Bond), The King’s Man, the third in the Kingsman franchise, directed by Matthew Vaughn, and which is out… sometime soon. I forget when, this far into a pandemic. But soon. Ish.

GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage

The first two films, Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle were marvellous. And indeed, the tie-ins were rather stylish. Swan across to the Mr Porter website and you can still see the tie-in clothing by ridiculously high profile craft manufacturers – Turnbull & Asser shirts, George Cleverley shoes, Drake’s accessories. This isn’t some cheap knock-off stuff, as you might imagine with tie-in goods; it’s all incredibly well put together.

But the eagle-eyed drinks geek would have noticed that a chunk of the second film, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, was filmed in the amazing Napoleon Cellar in the bowels of the world-famous wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd. There Eggsy and Merlin drink, of all things, some Bourbon, which sees them whisked away to hijinks in the US, where there are plenty more whisky – and whiskey – references, notably at the Statesman Distillery headquarters. Berry Bros. & Rudd now have a dedicated Kingsman Room, which I have seen with my own eyes and is most splendid (as is all of the insides of Berry Bros.).

GlenDronach, one of my top Scotch distilleries, has managed to score bragging rights – and film rights – for the whisky. In a funny sort of way, you don’t get to see whisky on the big screen quite like you used to. Whisky was used to represent status, a little elitism, that perhaps someone has obtained a certain level of gravitas in their life. Suntory time.

I mean sure, in Bond the villain shot some (probably fake anyway) Macallan off the head of a young lady – whose sole existence in the film seemed to be to reveal how out of touch the scriptwriters could be with a modern on-screen representation of women in film – but aside from that? I’ve not seen a great deal. I can’t say I’ve watched a great deal of Netflix shows to know whether or not the same ideal of whisky is presented there. (And yes I know that Bond reference is old but I have a child and haven’t been to the cinema in ages.)

Or perhaps whisky has been democratised – it is a more egalitarian drink, and no longer useful as a shorthand character summary on the big screen? Whisky on a table no longer says slick-wise-old-businessman, but rather it can mean mother, father, young man, young woman, rich or not all that rich. Whisky can be marketed to suggest you want to slum it with Proper Twelve to stash expensive bottles for a pension fund.  Is whisky no longer useful, in that respect, to filmmakers? Utter speculation based on nothing more than hunches, but that’ll do for the pages of Malt.

In fact, back to the Kingsman series: GlenDronach was meant to have something to do with the last film, though I can’t actually remember seeing the brand in the film, just what I think was a GlenDronach bottle from a distance though had a “Kingsman” label on it. (I tried to screenshot it but Apple TV is clever and won’t let me, but suffice to say that I’d be very pissed off if I forked out tens of thousands for a movie tie-in bottle and the bloody name never even appeared on screen.)

Anyway, back to this particular GlenDronach whisky, which is a 1989 vintage (in whisky, of course, the vintage doesn’t have anything to do with the vintage of the raw material – barley – bur rather distillation year), and 29 years old at that. The PR gumpf suggests it was inspired by a 29-year-old whisky at GlenDronach that was bottled in 1913, a year before the First World War; useful, given the film – The King’s Man – was set during the First World War.

The expression is meant to pay “homage to fallen friends who bravely fought during WW1” (though, split infinitive aside, I have not seen if the distillery will be making any donations to any military-related charities with this release). There are 3,052 bottles of this, which was matured in oloroso Sherry casks “followed by a final maturation” (finished or double matured?) in Pedro Ximénez casks. It’s bottled at 50.1% ABV, and each will cost… US$1,299. I’ll get to that, but first some notes.

GlenDronach Kingsman Edition 1989 Vintage – Review

 

Colour: old oak.

On the nose: very GlenDronach. The style is there even after 29 years in wood. But it’s right at the heady end of things: sticky figs, hoisin sauce, damson chutney. Both intense sweetness yet balanced by umami, a slightly meaty note: pan-fried grouse in some gooey autumnal sauce. Drifts into sandalwood perfume, wood polish, Mince Pies. I must admit this has one of the more impressive GlenDronach noses.

In the mouth: not at all too tannic or bitter; the wood has been gentle in its old age. Very silky. There’s a good amount of those dark, dried fruits: figs, raisins sure, but very rich. Damson chutney again – muscovado sugar, bitter 80% dark chocolate, a touch of coffee perhaps with morello cherries. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly spicey. Mince pies. Drifts into cola on the mid pallet somewhat; I never know if that’s a good thing or not – certainly speaks of intensity. Yet the wood never becomes too much, the age never overwhelming as it can be for these old sherry monsters (though I tend to think GlenDronach hits the sweet spot around 20 years).

 

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The History of Hennessy: Born In Ireland, Raised In France Since1765

Hennessy is one of the most respected and popular cognac makers in the world. If you’re a fan of cognac, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve tried one of Hennessy’s expressions over the years. But what do you know about the history of this iconic brand? Ever think its name sounds much more Irish than French? Well, there’s a reason for that.

For over two centuries, Hennessy has written new chapters in the story of cognac. Today, the House is the unrivaled market leader and one of the top high-end spirits brands in the world.

Hennessy – 250 Years of History

 

Founded in 1765, the House of Hennessy originated in the vision of one man, Richard Hennessy. “For over two centuries, eight generations of the Hennessy family and seven generations of the Fillioux family have worked together to ensure the quality and consistency of our Cognacs,” says Yann Fillioux, 7th Generation Hennessy Master Blender.

Hennessy

IDENTITY

The story of the House of Hennessy began with one man’s vision. An Irish officer in the service of the King of France, Richard Hennessy foresaw the extraordinary international commercial potential of Cognac’s eaux-de-vie. In 1765, he set up his own business and founded a House that has since met with unequaled and unfailing success. That success is the result of a constant quest for excellence in the creation of exceptional cognacs, coupled with an ambitious business development strategy.

Richard Hennessy. © Jas Hennessy & Co / The Makers Entertainment.

Richard Hennessy.
© Jas Hennessy & Co / The Makers Entertainment.

At the end of the 18th century, Hennessy began to grow in all four corners of the globe, starting with the United States. At the beginning of the 19th century, the House set its sights on Australia and Southeast Asia. The South American, Japanese and Chinese markets were conquered in turn.

In 1860, a quarter of cognac exports bore one name: Hennessy.

In the 20th century, the work begun by the House’s founder was continued. A million cases were shipped in 1967, and twenty years later that figure was two million. With over five and a half million cases in 2013, Hennessy is now the top French wine and spirits brand by value in the world. In addition to the fabulous commercial success of a brand present on every continent and in over 130 countries, Hennessy cognac is an ambassador for French art de vivre the world over.

Creation date: 1765
CEO: Bernard Peillon
Head office: 1, rue de la Richonne, 16100 Cognac – France
Website: www.hennessy.com

Photo: © Jas Hennessy & Co

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Moët & Chandon
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Driven by its pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon has always produced a Champagne with an inimitable identity.

Driven by its pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon has always produced a Champagne with an inimitable identity.

Creation date: 1743
Chairman and CEO: Stéphane Baschiera
Head office: Avenue de Champagne, 51200 Epernay – France
Website: www.moet.com

IDENTITY

Since 1743 when it was founded, Moët & Chandon has been passing down unequaled winemaking savoir-faire and an innovative and pioneering spirit from generation to generation.

Claude Moët, its founder, was the first person to embody these values when he made his Champagne the most sought-after in Europe. With his grandson, Jean Remy Moët, a pioneering and visionary mind, Moët & Chandon became a major international champagne brand. This saga quickly transformed the family House into a worldwide symbol of success.

The 1,190 hectares of rich limestone soil, 50% of which is classed as Grand Cru and 25% Premier Cru, make up the largest vineyard area in Champagne. Underground, the Moët & Chandon cellars are the most extensive in the region. Extending more than 28 kilometers, they form a subterranean labyrinth where the wine metamorphoses under optimum conditions of humidity and temperature.

ICON

As the House’s signature cuvée, Moët Impérial is its most comprehensive and universal expression. This Champagne is a perfectly executed blend of over 200 crus, mingling the full body of pinot noir with the suppleness of meunier and the finesse of chardonnay. The very incarnation of balance in Champagne for over 150 years.

“Undoubtedly, it is Moët & Chandon’s legendary heritage and pioneering spirit. Furthermore, this is a brand with an exceptional savoir-faire, yet it is always innovatively forward-thinking. From innovating successful new trends in bottling to creating new methods of celebration, Moët & Chandon continues to pursue new ways to share the magic of Champagne with the world.”

Stéphane Baschiera, Chairman and CEO of Moët & Chandon

SAVOIR-FAIRE

For Benoît Gouez, Cellar Master at Moët & Chandon since 2005, the champagne that he was previously ignorant of has now become a passion. In his own words: “I’m not from the wine world. I arrived here through a series of encounters, circumstances and above all, intuition! “. Benoît Gouez’s enthusiasm and expertise drove him to understand the spirit of Moët & Chandon Champagne, which he has been magnifying with boldness and elegance, vintage after vintage.

INNOVATION

Only Moët & Chandon could innovate by breaking the rules. The House rose to a new challenge by developing a luxuriously revolutionary Champagne: Moët Ice Impérial is the very first refreshing Champagne to be enjoyed over ice, in large glasses that have been specially designed to reveal all of its subtlety.

MORE THAN 270YEARS OF HISTORY

1,190HECTARES OF VINEYARDS

MORE THAN 150NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WHERE MOËT & CHANDON IS PRESENT

Driven by its pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon has always produced a Champagne with an inimitable identity.

Driven by its pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon has always produced a Champagne with an inimitable identity.

Moët & Chandon House.© Andreas Achmann

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Glendalough Distillery - No solo raro, sino único Single Malt Irish Whiskey 25 años
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A WORLD’S FIRST HAPPENS ONLY ONCE

Not just rare, but unique. This is the first Irish single malt ever to be aged in an Irish oak cask.

This is a monumental moment for our distillery, and in the history of Irish whiskey, bottled.

A WORLD’S FIRST HAPPENS ONLY ONCE

The liquid itself is sublime, with each of the three casks and two predecessor liquids adding to its taste in both the right measure and order.

The luxurious sweetness of the heavily charred American oak Bourbon cask is followed by the bold, round flavours of toasted Spanish oak, Oloroso casks, with the lively last word left to the virgin Irish oak spices.

This is all clearly discernible in chronological order through an exquisite smoothness.

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