Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Clear spirits are calling

I just had a chat with the owner of a distillery in Scotland. He tells me that they have started selling new make spirit - at 50% ABV. For those who have not experienced new make and don't know what it is, one way to describe it is whisky before it can be called whisky. It is the spirit before it is aged. As whisky has to be aged for at least 3 years in oak to be called whisky, if the spirit is not aged in oak for at least 3 years, then you can't call it whisky.

They are also starting to market spirit that has been aged for 6 months in Californian Red wine casks.

These products are not whiskies, but are interesting to use in tastings and could be quite fun to use in cocktails.

And on their own - I will wait for my sample bottle to arrive and let you know.

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