Ardbeg's New Release: Fermutation

Words by Colin Hampden White

Every now and again Ardbeg releases a whisky just for members of their committee (anyone can join the committee) and this February saw the release of Fermutation.

Apparently this was the result of a lucky mistake. A fermentation was left to run for far too long by mistake, in fact it was the longest fermentation ever run at Ardbeg. Rather than ditch the mistake, Dr Bill decided to distil it and this 13 year old is the result.

This long fermentation was created in November 2007 by a broken boiler which couldn’t be fixed, and rather than stopping the fermentation running at the time, Dr Bill decided to experiment. He quickly told the distillery team to open up the washback lids exposing the contents to the air. This was the start of a three week fermentation. A normal fermentation at Ardbeg is around 72 hours.

One gets the feeling that the results were not just down to luck. Some quick thinking and a desire to experiment certainly helped. The resulting whisky is still smoky, but is more in harmony with the fruity flavours which are citrus forward and as Dr Bill put it “Zingy”.

Dr Bill is well known for experimentation, and he’s always wanted to experiment with longer fermentation, but he admits what an experiment of this length of time would never have happened without the faulty boiler.

It went on sale to the committee earlier this month, and sold quickly. It can be found at auction and some retailers have it at inflated prices. But the best way to even have a chance of bottles in the future, is to join the committee which any lover of Ardbeg can do here on-line.

ABV: 49.4%
Size: 700ml
Price £150 (on release), expect £250 and upwards at auction or future retail.

Great Scotch Whisky for Burns Night!

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Burn’s Night is always a good excuse for whisky lovers to open up their favourite bottles and celebrate the Scottish poets life and works over a few drams and haggis. Here are some of my favourite whiskies aged 13 to 18 years which won’t break the bank and one special dram which I think most people would like. From those just starting out on their whisky journey to seasoned travellers on the whisky road. There are some classics, some newbies and a couple of unusual bottles here, but they have one thing in common. They are all delicious.

Craigellachie 13 Year Old

Back in 2014, Craigellachie released a new core range of whiskies, all with prime numbers as age statements reflecting the maverick edge to the brand. The 13 year old was the beginning, and it was a very good start. One of the few whiskies I will always have on a shelf, I’ll be starting my Burn’s night celebrations with one of these. Lots of character, plenty of fruit and bold intense flavours whilst remaining smooth and easy to drink.

ABV: 46%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £46.99 // US $64.99

The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask

This is probably the best expression of whisky finished in rum casks. Spending the beginning of its life in ex-bourbon casks giving vanilla and toffee flavours, the rum cask finish brings in banana and other tropical notes. The rum casks were filled with rum that malt master David Stewart had blended to give lots of complexity and sweetness. I find this whisky pairs well with a great number of foods but goes especially well with haggis.

ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £56.95 // US $100.99

Tamdhu 15 Year Old

Tamdhu is the king of sherry cask maturation on Speyside being the only distillery which uses only ex-Sherry casks for all its whisky. This 15 year old gives all those who love a sherry bomb enough of a kick whilst remaining balanced and fruity for those just getting into sherried whisky. There are lots of dark fruit flavours and plenty of Christmas spice from the ex-Oloroso Sherry casks. Perfect for smoked salmon or a well-seasoned haggis.

ABV: 46%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £74.95 // US $119.99

Fettercairn 16 2021 (2nd release)

This second release of a 16 year old from Fettercairn is very different from the 1st release. There is no use of chocolate malt in this expression and lots of expertly blended sherry casks. Three different types of sherry casks were used: first fill Oloroso, refill Oloroso and first fill Palo Cortado Sherry Butts. This marriage of casks gives lots of complexity and balance from the fruity spirit and spicy oak. It’s definitely one to savour. Leaving the whisky in the glass to air for twenty minutes or so will bring extra complexity and nuance.

ABV: 46.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £64.95

Deanston 2002 17 year old Pinot Noir Cask Finish

This is a sophisticated dram. There are lots of vanilla notes and fudge from the first maturation in American oak, and orchard fruits from the spirit, all backed up with plenty of fresh red fruit flavours and grape notes from the second maturation in the Pinot Noir casks. The distillery character is still prevalent, but there is so much more to this expression that their core range delivers. Definitely, a dram worth spending that little bit extra on.

ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £110

Johnnie Walker 18

I believe this is a whisky all whisky lovers will enjoy. It is a blend of at least 18 whiskies including Cardhu, Glen Elgin and Blair Athol which are all favourites of mine. This used to be known as the Platinum label, but by giving it the age statement back gives clarity that this is a whisky of good age. With lots of fruity flavours, clear honey and gentle wisps of smoke this is a real crowd pleaser, and is astonishingly good value for an eighteen year old dram.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £52.84 // US $79.99

Tomintoul 19 Year Old Port Pipe Matured Cask No.1

At the end of a Burn’s Night evening when a few different whiskies may have been consumed, something with a little punch is needed, and this whisky delivers. It is big and bold having been matured for all its life in a single port pipe which has imparted huge flavour into the spirit. Only 753 bottles were produced in 2020, and there are a few left. It gives lots of plums and creamy toffee with summer red fruits leading to dried fruits like raisins before giving way to peppery spice and a brilliantly balanced spice and sweetness all the way through the finish. It’s an absolute belter!

ABV: 57%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £175.95

Enjoy the whiskies, the haggis, the poetry and the bagpipes (there is always Spotify), but above all enjoy the company. Happy Burn’s night to you all. Slàinte Mhath.

Has all this whisky talk got you wishing you were in Scotland? If so, make sure you have a read of these brilliant Scotch Whisky Distillery Tours!

Three Scotch Whisky Cocktails for Burns Night

Burns night is upon us! 25th of January is the birthday of Scotland’s own ‘Shakespeare’: Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. This ‘Scottish bard’ was responsible for many books and poems including Auld Lang Syne. He is celebrated every year on this date, usually by eating Haggis with neeps and tatties and drinking Scotch whisky in some form, while his words are read out before the meal to ‘address the Haggis’. Here are three great Scotch whisky cocktails to try on Burns night 2022.

The Rob Roy

Rob Roy (full name Robert MacGregor ) was an infamous, red-headed, Highland outlaw with a reputation as the  Scottish Robin Hood. His fame was fanned by  Sir Walter Scott’s novel Rob Roy in 1818 and in the poems of William Wordsworth. This cocktail exists however because it was dreamed up at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan by a barman to celebrate the opening of the Rob Roy operetta in 1984. 

Ingredients

50ml Scotch Whisky (I’m using Glen Marnoch Highland Single Malt - £16.99 from Aldi)

30ml Sweet Vermouth

Dash Angostura bitters

Method

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, stir and strain into a coup glass.Garnish with an orange twist or maraschino cherry. 

Smoky Whisky Sour

For this whisky sour, it can only be Scotch whisky from the Island of Islay, just west of mainland Scotland where the peat used to dry the barley imparts that classic, smoky, peaty flavour. Ardbeg is set right by the water and prides itself on its quirky range of peaty whiskies named after myths and legends a lot of the time! If you’re a bit put off by using egg white, you can simply leave it out. It’s there to add a silky, creamy texture. 

Ingredients

50ml Islay Scotch Whisky (I’m using Ardbeg 10 year old)

25ml Fresh Lemon Juice

15ml Simple Syrup

1 Egg white (optional)

Bitters for colour

Orange or lemon peel for garnish

Method

Add the Scotch, lemon juice and egg white if you are using it into a shaker with ice and shake for around 30 seconds. Strain and pour into a rocks glass over ice. If you have foam, add a dash of bitters for colour. Mix the sugar and lemon very evenly for the best effect. 

World of Zing Leather and Walnut Manhattan

World of Zing were allegedly the pioneers of bottled cocktails, founded and crafted by Pritesh Moody from Sunday Brunch. A Manhattan is traditionally whisky, with sweet vermouth and bitters like the Rob Roy above. Rye whiskey is more usually used but it works particularly well with blended Scotch whisky too, such as the Johnnie Walker here. This handcrafted blend features Johnnie Walker Black Label, Rosso Vermouth, Walnut Bitters, Walnut Liqueur and Tannic Tincture.  ABV: 28% Look out for their Easter ones too! Hot Cross Bun-Hattan and Chocolate Orange Negroni

Find it for £15 from www.worldofzing.com, RRP from £15.00

The Best Whiskeys for an Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned: the whiskey lover’s cocktail, and not old-fashioned at all! The Old Fashioned is a simple cocktail composed of whisk(e)y, sugar, a dash of bitters and a twist of orange. First served at the Waldorf Astoria Bar in New York City, it has always been a classy drink showing off a fantastic spirit, but what whiskeys should you try? Here’s our list of some great whiskeys for a top notch Old Fashioned.

Wild Turkey Longbranch

Wild Turkey Longbranch is a small batch, 8 year old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and a collaboration between Wild Turkey master distiller Eddie Russell and the brand's creative director – award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. The sweet citrus and spices of this bourbon make it perfect for an Old Fashioned, complementing Angostura bitters delectably.

ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.94 // US $34.99

Ezra Brooks Bourbon

Ezra Brooks is a great entry level bourbon if you’re looking for a perfect bourbon without the hefty price tag. The recipe was first produced in 1950 as a competitor to Jack Daniels and the company was even sued by the global whiskey superpower (though JD did end up losing…)! Caramel and vanilla combine together with hints of spice and chocolate giving it a lovely warm finish definitely worthy of an Old Fashioned.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £25.90 // US $20.99

Bulleit Rye 

The only non bourbon on the list, but it makes a stunning Old Fashioned. The high rye content gives a better balance between the whiskey and the sugar in the cocktail meaning your Old Fashioned won’t be overly sweet, as can sometimes be the case. Bulleit Bourbon has been an Old Fashioned favourite for a while, with its higher rye content, but it’s definitely worth trying this whiskey too! 

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.20 // US $37.99

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

In its distinctive bottle, Woodford Reserve can get you licking your lips before you even get your hands on it. The Double Oaked is perhaps the most complex of their range, being aged firstly in a standard Woodford Reserve barrel before being moved to a heavily toasted and charred barrel. The bourbon itself has notes of dark fruits combined with beautiful caramel chocolate, roasted hazelnuts and marzipan and in an Old Fashioned, its complexities really shine making it a cocktail to truly be savoured. 

ABV: 43.2%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: £45.89 // US $58.99

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Buffalo Trace is another big name in both the Old Fashioned lover community and on the shelves of many a craft bartender. This whiskey has won multiple awards over the years, notably achieving Gold in the American Whiskey Masters 2020, a title it has held since 2017. An Old Fashioned made with Buffalo Trace is smooth, with subtle spice and the bourbon itself is also brilliant value for money, so it is very much worth adding a bottle to your bar cart. 

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £26.40 // US $34.99

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Knob Creek is a bold, flavourful bourbon and bottled at 100 proof leads to a very strong old fashioned. The simplicity of the Old Fashioned cocktail really helps the rich robustness of Knob Creek shine, with its notes of candy floss, a hint of dark chocolate, and a little charred oak. We would definitely recommend the use of ice while mixing up this Old Fashioned to release more of the aromas and flavours but for a bourbon under £40, Knob Creek really delivers.

ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £34.45 // US $47.99

Fancy trying out a Scotch whisky alternative? The, head over to The Dalmore Old Fashioned or, if it’s an entirely different cocktail you after then we have plenty here!

Great Gifts for Father's Day

Father’s Day is nearly upon us and it’s highly unlikely he will genuinely want new pants and socks, or so we have been told! So, this year, give him something special just for him - though he may even share it with you if you’re good! Here’s our pick of special boozes and other thoughtful items. There’s something for every budget.

Red Wine

Bodyguard 2017 from Daou Vineyards, Paso Robles, California

For when only a full-bodied, velvety red will do. This stunning looking bottle wrapped in a large, Gustav Klimt-esque label with gold foiling looks as good as it tastes. A powerful blend of 60% Petit Verdot and 40% Syrah, it has a bit of everything you want in a fine, red wine from juicy cassis, raspberry and cherry fruit to notes of warm, cooking spice, truffle and cocoa with a waft of freshly crushed herbs and tobacco leaf in for good measure. It’s big and brooding - a winner with steak or simply alone in the man cave with a good book.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.7%
Find here: UK From £45 // US $33.08

Champagne

Bollinger PN VZ16

A very special, brand new iteration of James Bond’s favourite fizz, the PN VZ16 is made exclusively from Pinot Noir from Verzenay in Champagne and the house describes it as “an inimitable vision of an iconic grape variety”. The base for the wine is the fantastic 2016 vintage with older, reserve wines, the oldest of which being 2006. The PN collection was created to celebrate all the unique expressions Pinot Noir can give and this is the second in the range. Think red apple skin with tangy notes of rhubarb, plum and pear, hints of tropical fruit, a cool saline core and a pleasing, nuttiness on the finish. A simply stunning wine that’s drinking now or will keep. Very smart packaging too!

Size: 750ml
Find here: £80

Rum

Eminente Reserve Rum Aged 7 Years

This fabulous new rum from central Cuba has been made using 100% sugar cane and aged for seven years in white, ex-whisky, oak barrels. It’s extraordinary in that it manages to harness the freshness of a traditional Cuban white, light rum with the subtle complexity of a more aged one. We love it for its spicy notes of pepper and ginger, which mingle seamlessly with fresh cherry and plum flavours and quirky notes of tobacco, cocoa and coffee bean. Glorious neat, over ice, with simple mixers or even in cocktails. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £43.95

Tequila

Pancho Datos Reposado Tequila

If dads need to be a bit more ‘reposado’, then a bottle of top end, sipping tequila could be the answer. This is a 100% agave reposado that has been ‘rested’ for six months in white oak barrels that previously held bourbon whiskey. There will be no shotting this with lime and salt though, please! Think creamy vanilla fudge notes here with a classic earthiness from the agave itself and a lovely salinity that keeps it fresh. Have it alone over ice or it makes a banging Paloma Reposado! (1 part tequila to 3 parts pink grapefruit soda, lime or grapefruit garnish). The name Pancho Datos by the way, celebrates the work of historian and poet Ricardo Grijalva de León who made his name during the Mexican Revolution in 1910. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £49.95

Irish Whiskey

Bushmills 21 Year Old, Triple Distilled, Rare whiskey

For a sipping whiskey that will knock anyone’s socks off, this 21 year old, blended, Irish superstar from the whiskey gem in Northern Ireland’s crown is hard to beat. With 19 years spent in oloroso sherry and bourbon-seasoned casks, it then spends a further two years in madeira casks. The result is a silky smooth and unctuous spirit with enormous depth of flavour. Every sip will offer something new, from fruit cake, to cocoa, chocolate, raisins, hazelnut and caramel. Just, wow. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £159.90 // US $268.79

Scotch Whisky

Spirit of Art Whisky Range by Distillers Art

If your father is a fan of Scotch and beautiful landscapes, this spirited gift combines the two beautifully. Like us, the company believes that Scotch whisky, like wine, is synonymous first and foremost with the place it comes from, from the soil and aspect to the barley, the water… everything. What Distillers Art do is look at the character of an area and commission an artist to create a limited edition, signed print to go with it, which comes with the whisky (inside the tube, so frame is not included). We just adore this concept of where art meets spirits. Choose from the stunning landscapes of the Spey, Ben Rinnes hill, Islay and more with famous whisky names such as Clynelish, Caol Ila and Craigellachie.

Size: 700ml
ABV: From 53%
Find here: From £130

English Whisky

Masthouse Column Malt Whisky from Copper Rivet

Hailing from Copper Rivet Distillery in Kent, this limited-edition whisky is only the second in their Masthouse range. It’s also the first column still single malt ever to be released by a British distillery (Scotch whisky must be produced in a pot still) and is made with Belgravia barley malt, which is grown locally on the Isle of Sheppey. Unfiltered and matured in first and second-fill ex-bourbon casks, what you get is a lighter style of whisky with appealing notes of caramel, banana and baked apple pie up front with creamy, orchard fruit flavours on the palate. It’s fresh and perky and each bottle comes with a copy of Copper Rivet’s own Invicta whisky charter.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £44.95

Shanky’s Whip Black Liqueur & Whiskey Blend

A quirky, retro one in looks this. Thoroughly Irish, Shanky’s Whip is a sweet and creamy liqueur made from a blend of black Irish whiskey and other Irish spirits blended with natural vanilla and cream flavours before being infused with caramel. The box is inspired by the look of vintage Irish matchboxes and features fantastical Irish jockey, ‘Shanky’ who was the wild boy of racing. His character was known for being one that always one bucked the trends and once, when thrown from his horse, he returned to a race with an ostrich, a cart and a whip. Naturally! Lots of fun and there are many ways to drink it. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 33%
Find here: £23.95

No-Lo

OTO CBD Cocktail Bitters

We’ve tried and tested this (non-alcoholic) product over time and can honestly say that it works and is fabulous. Not only does it add an intriguing, warm and spiced flavour to cocktails with its extracts of licorice, cacao and lemongrass, but we’ve also had it in a our morning decaf latte and mixed it with a little warm water at night, so it’s wonderfully versatile. CBD in the right quantities can melt away anxiety in a way that does not make you feel anything specifically; it’s more about the bad stuff that it makes you stop feeling. Just add 4 dashes to your drink of choice and there you are. 

Size: 100ml
CBD: 1800mg
Find here: Currently £63.20 on offer (usually £79)

Juke Cordialities

Created by well-known wine writer Matthew Jukes, Jukes Cordialities are a very swish looking, intriguing take on non-alcoholic wine, so we expected these to be good! Made using fruit, vegetables, fresh and dried herbs, spices and flowers with a backbone of fine, organic apple cider vinegar, these are complex, interesting and very tasty non-alcoholic drinks that actually mimic the complexities of wine very well, while offering some intriguing, new flavour profiles. Naturally made, these are ultra low calorie, unfiltered and unfined without any manipulative techniques so they can also throw a small sediment. Quirky, beautifully packaged and worth a go if dad is trying to moderate. The gift box includes 9 small bottles, enough for around 15-18 glasses. 

Size: 9 x 30ml bottles
Find here: £35

Cool Stuff

The Checkin Journal

With Father’s Day coming at the end of Men's Health Week (June 15th - 22nd), we wanted to highlight a thoughtful gift to help men become more aware of their thoughts and feelings with an eye to improving their mental health. This simple, beautiful journal does this with its space for daily checkins. It’s a collaboration between MAL Paper and Matt Johnson, a Mind Ambassador and TV Presenter with the express aim, as Matt says, “to help the user connect with their emotions in an unapologetic way, without fear of judgment.” It’s simple and incredibly effective. Even better, for every journal sold, Mål Paper donates £2 to Mind Charity.

Find here: £21.95

Glencairn Whisky Pipette

After hundreds of requests from fans of their iconic Glencairn whisky glass, Glencairn have released their very own whisky pipette to go with it. The perfect length for the glass, this pipette is made from hand-blown glass and holds the ideal amount of water to help moderate flow (1ml).  It also has a very sweet little mini glass to weight the top. For £6, it’s a bit of a no-brainer and it is also available to buy as a set with a Glencairn Glass or a jug.

Find here: £6

CBD gummies by Cold Pressed

The one for stressed out dads who need to take some time for themselves. These cute and tasty gummies by British CBD brand Cold Pressed are made using a cold-pressed extraction method to retain the organic goodness of the CBD. 100% natural ingredients, vegan and with 10mg of cannabidiol in every gummy, these bonbons with benefits are available in strawberry, grape, apple, grapefruit and pineapple flavours. The CBD extraction process they used is brand new to the UK and ensures that all of the added benefits such as vitamins, omegas, nutrients and phytonutrients remain within the extract.

Size: 30 gummies per jar
CBD: 10mg per gummie
Find here: £6.99 per jar

Not found what you were looking for here? Fear not! We have plenty of other suggestions for great wine, spirits, beer and no-lo for you to check out too.

Why do hangovers get worse with age?

Remember your early 20s? After a few too many drinks, you’d wake fresh as a daisy, ready to tackle work, run a marathon, pen a bestseller. But, as we slip into later life, our hangovers become incapacitating. Pounding headaches, nausea and hangxiety (read our piece on what that is here) can all turn up after just a couple of tame pints at the pub. Even choosing what to watch on Netflix becomes a chore.

It’s not just your imagination  though - there is some science behind it. According to physicians, as you age, your body’s metabolism slows down and that doesn’t just mean the inevitable waistline expansion. Your body no longer metabolises certain things, including alcohol, as well because your liver doesn’t work quite as efficiently as it did when you were 21.

Enzymes in your liver begin to process alcohol by breaking it down into acetaldehyde, a toxin commonly thought to be a contributor to hangover symptoms. From there, enzymes break the acetaldehyde down into non-toxic acetate. But, here’s the thing: your liver can only do that so fast, and it gets slower as you age. So, in effect, acetaldehyde hangs around in your body for longer, getting pushed into your bloodstream – and increasing that grim hungover feeling.

Of course, there are other factors at play. Your genetics are important – we all have those annoying friends who ‘don’t get hangovers’, at any age – as is the quantity you drink and how often. And, perception matters. You might recall that you didn’t get hangovers when you were younger, but was that really true? Your hangovers may be more about feeling anxious and having low productivity rather than nausea and headaches. 

Earlier in life, feeling rubbish after a big night out with mates almost feels like a badge of honour. Yet over time, the novelty wears off. And, when combined with increased responsibilities like high-pressured jobs or childcare, hangovers genuinely are worse  - and longer - than they used to be as you take longer to recover. 

Want to know why we get ‘hangxiety?’ Read all about it here.

Crabbie's Colada

On the Bring a Bottle Podcast this week (episode 40), Aidy mixed up a storm with his Crabbie’s Colada: a twist on a Pina Colada using Crabbie’s Yardhead whisky. Here’s how you can make one yourself for a tropical fiesta in a glass.

Ingredients

40ml Crabbie’s Yardhead
20ml Dead Man’s Fingers Coconut Rum
50ml Coconut Water
50ml Pineapple Juice
25ml Fresh Lime Juice
25ml Agave Syrup
Glassware: Poco Grande Glass

Method
Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice and give it a good go for a minute or so. Strain and pour over more ice into a Poco Grande Glass or similar large, copa style glass and garnish with as much pizazz as you would like. Umbrellas are a must.

Like this? Try Aidy’s Marmalade Sour recipe, the Fettercairn 1824 Martini or the White Russian

Salmon and Spirit - A match made in heaven

Words by Colin Hampden-White

There are few food matches that go as well together as smoked salmon and whisky and one company has gone a step further by curing their salmon in various spirits and then smoking the fish. The results are heavenly. Campbell’s started by curing their salmon with Balvenie. This was such a success that they started to use Glenfiddich, and even moved away from whisky to use another William Grant & Sons brand: Hendricks.

This delicious combination was only available to the restaurant trade, but with the lockdown and distribution issues thrown up by Covid-19, they have been made available to the public. Even better than that, you can buy them together, all three spirit-cured smoked salmon plus one traditional.

The original concept was brought forward by William Grant & Sons working with Michel Roux Jr who took the modern smoking of salmon, added fennel, coriander seeds and star anise, before finishing the fish in Balvenie 12 year old. This was used across the Roux businesses at the Langham in London, Cromlix House, Crossbasket Castle and Inverlochy Castle, and now can be experienced in your own home.

The Glenfiddich salmon was developed after a visit to the Glenfiddich distillery and master distiller Brian Kinsman visiting the smoke house. He then worked with Mark Thompson, brand ambassador for Scotland, to pair the salmon with Glenfiddich IPA. The result was used at bespoke dinners at the distillery and over the 2019 festive season by chef Adam Handling at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel.

The Hendricks smoked salmon was developed by Lesley Gracie, the Hendricks distiller in Girvan. The process involved curing the salmon in sea salt, demerara sugar and botanicals and then lightly smoking it before finishing it in Hendricks Gin. A fantastic compliment to afternoon tea, this smoked salmon was showcased at the Caledonian Waldorf in Edinburgh and the Doyle Collection in London.

All the boxes can be found by going to the shop section of Campbell’s website and the combination box (which is made to order) can be found here and ordered before the 4th of December. It is priced at £45 + £4.99 delivery. Delivery is from the 15th to 22nd and when kept in a fridge will last until the 4th of January.

If you love whisky and gin and are a fan of top notch smoked salmon, this is a real treat for the seasonal festivities.