Greetings Spirited Followers!
How are you enjoying the beautifully brisk turn the weather has taken? Last night - as if planned to perfection - we fortified ourselves against the cold with some superb sherries, marvellous Madeira and poised port. Pit-master Shane McBagley had the BBQ running outside which - on it's own - seemed like a public service; when the food pairings got to the table there was vociferous agreement with the recent decision that Shane is a world champion! I think the duck breast and Madeira might have just about been top but there was strong support for the oysters and manzanilla. Perhaps try both at home and lest us know what you think? Shane will be with us again on December 19th so click the link further down if you'd like to join us.
Right - must get on to the new liquids as we've got lots to tell you about even if I have no idea how to actually describe the first one... Ex-Master Perfumier Baldo Baldinini has a form of achromatopsia – a rare medical condition that causes total colour blindness – as well as synaesthesia, giving him a heightened olfactory sense and the ability to link smells to musical notes. DiBaldo Gin 'Paracelso' is made at his home laboratory in Rimini on the Adriatic coast where Baldo draws from an ‘aroma library’ of more than 50,000 essences, which he has carefully extracted from raw ingredients sourced from around the world. Such is its purity and complexity that it is perfect to be enjoyed neat over ice or with just a splash of tonic.
To make Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon (2024 ed), the distillery starts with fully matured barrels of its US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon and transfers the whiskey into a second barrel made of 18-month air dried wood for additional aging. The second barrel has been toasted to precise specifications, but not charred. The nose delivers a burly bouquet that’s even a bit bolder than the 2021 release with a rush of aromatic spice and fresh, exotic wood notes, cigar box and sandalwood foremost among them. On the palate, that molasses note carries over, sticky and rich, before giving way to more char-kissed wood sugars. Chai spice and coffee grounds arrive midpalate, along with a flourish of cinnamon sugar and cooked orchard fruit.
We only have one Bruichladdich 2012 Micro Provenance Cask #2113 remaining from our allocation (in fairness there are only 282 of these in the world - probably fewer by now :) This limited edition single cask from the Bruichladdich Distillery is a part of their Micro-Provenance Series. It was distilled in June 2012 using Concerto Barley and aged fully in a single cask that previously held a Monbazillac, a sweet French wine. At 62.2% abv this a cask-strength lover's dream.
Clase Azul Tequila Reposado is a symbol of Mexican tradition and culture. Made with slow-cooked 100% Blue Weber Agave, our ultra-premium reposado tequila is unique and incomparable. Clase Azul Tequila Reposado is masterfully aged for eight months in American whiskey casks imparting its unique hazelnut and vanilla flavors as well as its exceptionally smooth finish. It's hand-made decanter is our most recognized icon with its distinctive "feathered" design, painted by hand in cobalt blue.
Our series of upcoming masterclasses is booking up fast - especially the extra special anniversary and xmas events where we'll be raiding Athila's personal collection - just scroll down and book now!
