With a central focus on single malt aged in special American white oak barrels, the Brûlée Royale recipe combines casks that have been toasted and charred to provide sweetness. Clynelish and Benrinnes single malts play starring roles, while Speyburn and Ardbeg single malts are also featured in the 98 proof blend.

Chef Massialot created the iconic dessert that inspired this whisky more than 300 years ago in Versailles, France.

“Versailles was the epicenter of innovation in art, science and gastronomy in the 17th century, making it the ideal source of inspiration,” says Samuel Travers, the lead Compass Box whiskymaker in Brûlée Royale’s creation. “Through the lens of Chef Massialot’s intoxicating creation, we highlight a very special parcel of whisky from the Clynelish Distillery, which has been matured in second-fill custom American oak barrels that offer extravagant sweetness while their precise toasting and charring coax just a hint of scorched sugar.”

In classic Compass Box style, the Brûlée Royale packaging features unique artwork–this time focusing on rhe Versailles Palace kitchens where crème brûlée was created.

In a further nod to Chef Massialot, Compass Box collaborated with his renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel to create the Brûlée Royale Fondue. Chef Ansel recreated the whisky in dessert form by topping off vanilla bean fondue with a splash of flambéed Brûlée Royale and serving it with bite-size sweet treats. Chef Ansel’s recipe will be available exclusively via the Compass Box website beginning October 8.

The limited edition Compass Box Brûlée Royale Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (8,556 bottles worldwide) will arrive nationwide beginning next Wednesday (October 8) for $159.99.

The post Compass Box Honors An Iconic Dessert appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team began experimenting some years ago with the mashing process, in which malted barley is converted into fermentable sugars. One of their experiments involved reducing the amount of water used in the packed mash tun. This unconventional “high-gravity” mash magnified the intensity of flavor-active compounds known as acetate esters, leading to a fruitier, more tropical spirit.

“The first whisky we have ever made with a high-gravity mash, Ardbeg Smokiverse takes our single malt’s classic peaty character to a new frontier of flavor,” said Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation. “My ramping up the density of our wort to new heights, we’ve drawn in fruitier, sweeter flavors from the deepest corners of the mash tun. Upon first sip, you can expect a vibrant burst of fruity, ester notes, rather like smoked bubble gum, along with aromas of barley. Then peaty notes collide with juicy, tropical fruits, before sinking into a rich depth of muscovado sugar.”

Inspired by this high-gravity mash, Ardbeg brought to life a space-inspired universe on Ardbeg Day. Committee Members and friends experienced the world of Smokiverse via cosmic games, space-themed cocktails, whisky tastings and smoky bites.

“We’re inviting whisky fans from all corners of the world to join us – both at the Distillery, the beating heart of the Smokiverse, and beyond – to celebrate Ardbeg Day,” said Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Ardbeg Committee Chair. We’re thrilled to share this whisky with smoky-malt lovers everywhere and send their tastebuds into overdrive with the release of this extraordinary new expression.”

Ardbeg Smokiverse (96.6 proof) is available now for $124.99.

The post Ardbeg Goes Extraterrestrial For Smokiverse appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

The expression is Ardbeg’s first whisky matured in a marriage of Madeira wine casks and bourbon casks. Aged 14 years, this limited edition whisky features bursts of smoke and notes of banana, menthol, and lime and is 92 proof.

It follows Ardbeg Anthology’s inaugural release, The Harpy’s Tale, which married classic Ardbeg with the Distillery’s first whisky aged in Sauternes sweet white wine casks.

“At Ardbeg we love experimenting with how we can push our spirit’s smoky balance into new worlds of flavor,” said Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation. “Some time ago, we decided to try maturing Ardbeg in unusual cask types for the distillery to create sweet and smoky ‘hybrids’– and so the Anthology Collection was born.”

“The Unicorn’s Tale is the second release in this series, which has been created by marrying classic Ardbeg matured in bourbon casks with a parcel of whisky wholly matured in sweet Madeira wine casks,” Lumsden added. “The outcome is a whisky bursting with notes of banana bread and tropical fruit fused with Ardbeg’s hallmark flavors of camphor, lime zest, and wood smoke. This 14-year-old whisky may appear sweet in nature, but its smoky side is not to be underestimated!”

The Ardbeg Anthology Collection comprises unusual single malts from the Distillery, which cross classic Ardbeg with experimental stock for new flavor combinations. In homage to these whiskies’ outlandish “hybrid” style, each malt’s name and packaging are inspired by a different mythological creature, which some say they have glimpsed on Islay.

Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale is available for purchase on ReserveBar.com and at select retailers for $159.99.

The post Ardbeg Anthology Unveils A Unicorn appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

Inspired by a whisky from the mid-20th century, Celestial is the peatiest of the Extinct Blends Quartet.

Collectors can occasionally find the highly coveted bottlings of the extinct blend that inspired Celestial, produced from the 1950s and 1960s; founded by one of the original “Whisky Barons,” the expression had strong historical connections to a distillery on Islay and one in Speyside. When the Compass Box opened a 1960s bottle that was originally destined for the U.S., they discovered a deeply complex and ghostly peat note, abundant cask sweetness verging on gingerbread and stem ginger in syrup, and a floral fruitiness.

For Celestial, the whiskymakers drew on malt whiskies from the Ardbeg and Caol Ila distilleries – two parcels that were first brought together six years ago for Compass Box’s original No Name expression.

“Celestial’s flavor profile elicits heavyweight peat smoke. Behind that is a gingery richness, notes of vanilla and grilled apples. The palate is dry and oak-forward, with meaty smokiness flowing onto cooked tropical fruits,” says James Saxon, Compass Box’s Whiskymaking Director.

For the final expression in the Extinct Blends Quartet, the whiskymakers wanted to capture an epic flight through the night sky, the home of the celestial body of Pegasus. They took that inspiration to the label design, which depicts a dramatic sky with billowing clouds and the glittering Pegasus constellation. The billowing clouds symbolize the complex columns of peatiness captured within the whisky while the cloudscapes and the night sky are a metaphor for the ever-changing world of blended Scotch whisky itself.

Only 5,532 bottles will be released worldwide, Compass Box’s Extinct Blends Quartet – Celestial is 100 proof and retails for $375.  .

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For this limited edition release, the distillery focused on the flavor boundaries of cask charring. After removing the heads from classic Ardbeg bourbon casks, they scored them deeply to expose more wood during the toasting process. The barrels were then charred intensely to a specification called ‘high mocha’, before being filled with whiskey. The result is a 96.4 proof dram that morphs and shifts between four key elements – the sweet, the smoked, the herbal and the spicy.

“Our high mocha toasting is what’s responsible for unlocking Ardbeg’s hidden 4D flavor. Aromas of earthy peatiness lead into an Ardbeg from an alternate universe,” said Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation. “Bittersweet mocha slowly emerges, while fiery chilli chocolate interlocks with floral chrysanthemum and jasmine. As soon as I tasted Anamorphic, I knew the Ardbeg Committee would find it as intriguing as I did. As enigmas wrapped up in conundrums go, this whisky takes Ardbeg to a whole new level!”

Anamorphic’s packaging showcases illustrations that mirror the whiskey’s tasting notes, and also features some characters from the Ardbeg community woven throughout the design.

Ardbeg Anamorphic is only available online for Ardbeg Committee Members, with a very limited number available to buy at the Distillery on Islay for $209.99.

The post Ardbeg Goes Abstract For Latest Committee Release appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

The fifth bottling of its permanent 19-year-old expression, Ardbeg Traigh Bhan is produced in small batches and released year on year and draws its inspiration from Islay’s Traigh Bhan beach, known locally as the Singing Sands. Matured in Ardbeg ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, this 92 proof whisky ventures into sweeter, more tropical waters.

Each batch  of Ardbeg Traigh Bhan carries its own unique code, batch symbol and initials from one of the Distillery’s famous faces. This year it’s Gillian Macdonald, Ardbeg’s Master Blender & Head of Whisky Creation. “Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 5 brings with it a vibrant profile bursting with smoked maple cured bacon, warm toffee and herbal essence, alongside tropical hints of luscious mango, guava and coconut – a side of this series that fans are yet to experience,” says Macdonald. “We are thrilled to offer whisky lovers and collectors across the globe an opportunity to explore another new take on this impossibly balanced favorite. We hope that this bottling will spark conversations between Ardbeggians and their friends about the finer details of this ever-changing dram.”

For the first release in its new Anthology Collection, a range of experimental single malts matured in cask types that are completely new to the distillery, Ardbeg has created Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale.

Aged for 13 years in a combination of classic ex-bourbon and sweet Sauternes wine casks. In homage to this unusual ‘hybrid’ style, its packaging takes inspiration from the fabled half-human and half-bird Harpy – an elusive, winged beast from ancient mythology.

“We have embarked on a bold maturation experiment to fuse Ardbeg’s signature smokiness with more nuanced, sweeter notes for our new release, The Harpy’s Tale – resulting in a very unusual and complex breed of Ardbeg,” said Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation. “This is a dram that represents a battle between sweet and smoke – one I believe fans are yet to experience in an Ardbeg dram, and one that I’m sure they will be excited to taste for themselves. Collectively, the whiskies in the Anthology Collection will form a legendary, perfectly balanced and delicious series of rare and unusual Ardbegs, rich in both lore and taste. We look forward to revealing more in the Collection in the near future.”

Ardbeg 19 Years Old Traigh Bhan Batch 5 is available for $349.99. Ardbeg Anthology: The Harpy’s Tale is available for $164.99.

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This year, the event fell on 4th June, the festivities took place at the Ardbeg Distillery, online, and at local events around the world. To celebrate the launch of their latest Limited Edition, Ardcore, the distillery called on their fans to “rock up” for the loudest event in the whisky calendar.

Created with roasted black malt, a first for Ardbeg, Arcore is all about what happens up front, center-stage. Described by Dr. Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation, as tasting ‘like biting on a spiky ball’, this dram is one for the ages. Ardcore also draws inspiration from Islay’s little-known punk past, celebrating the characters of ‘Punk Ellen’ – the alleged nickname for Islay’s main port, Port Ellen, in the 1970s.

“This year will be my first physical Ardbeg Day. We know not everybody can make it to Islay, so we’re delighted to be broadcasting all the day’s antics online too,” said Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager. “Whether at the Distillery or at home, we hope lots of you rock up, punked out and ready to party come 4th June!”

“Ardcore is a dram that wears its heart on its sleeve – its black heart! Created with roasted black malt, burnt to hair-raising levels, this spirit is all about substance,” added Dr Bill Lumsden, Ardbeg’s Head of Distilling and Whisky Creation. “Notes of charcoal and sweet smoke make for an in-your-face nose, while potent notes of aniseed and dark chocolate stamp this bottle out as one fit only for the most Ardcore of fans.”

Two versions of Ardbeg’s Ardcore is available at Ardbeg Embassies, whisky specialists, online retailers and from the Distillery Visitor Centre. The Ardbeg Committee Release (100 proof) retails for $149.99, while the general release (92 proof) retails for $124.99.

The post Ardbeg Rocks Its Latest Limited Edition appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

The 13-year-old expression is the consequence of an unplanned experiment that resulted in the longest fermentation in Ardbeg’s history.

In November 2007, The Ardbeg Distillery was about to face one of its greatest challenges. A broken boiler threatened the existence of six washbacks full of liquid. The team tried everything they could to get the boiler going. Ever the optimist, Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling and Whisky Creation Dr Bill Lumsden saw this conundrum as an opportunity to experiment.

He instructed the Distillery team to throw open the washback lids and expose the contents to the Islay air. Thus began a three week-long fermentation, which eventually gave rise to a wild, zingy and vibrant spirit.

“I’ve always wanted to experiment with longer fermentations, so I think an unintentional boiler breakdown was the best thing that could have happened,” said Dr Bill Lumsden. “For context, most Ardbeg is only fermented for 72 hours, making three weeks unchartered territory for us.”

“Blind luck is sometimes just part of the way we do things here at Ardbeg,” added Colin Gordon, Ardbeg’s Distillery Manager. “But the creation of Fermutation wasn’t simply good fortune. Quick thinking, ingenuity and a little assistance from tiny beings in the atmosphere helped us get here. At 13 years old, this is of course an aged Ardbeg – something I’m sure our fans will be delighted to get their hands on.”

As a Committee-only bottling, Ardbeg Fermutation is only available to members of The Ardbeg Committee for $199.99.

The post The Ardbeg Beams Down Latest Exclusive: Fermutation appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

Peat Monster Arcana is the result of a long-running experiment into the secrets and mysteries of oak and smoke. A cask strength version of The Peat Monster was further matured in three French oak custom casks for more than two years; it was then blended with malt whiskies from the Talisker, Miltonduff and Ardbeg distilleries in order to complement the richly spicy and more subtly smoky profile that developed.

“We have been experimenting with French oak since the early days of our company,” says Compass Box Founder and Whiskymaker John Glaser. “Peat Monster Arcana is the first Compass Box to feature smoky whiskies matured in French oak. We’re delighted to be able to build on this experiment in our 20th anniversary year and we hope dedicated fans of The Peat Monster discover a new side to this charismatic whisky.”

Peat Monster Arcana joins limited edition releases Hedonism Felicitas and Rogues’ Banquet to celebrate the anniversary. James Saxon, lead whiskymaker for Peat Monster Arcana says: “it is a truly delicious release and one that has taught us so much about the influence of French oak. Of course, there will always be further mysteries to explore.”

Peat Monster Arcana Tasting Notes:

Only 3,900 bottles Peat Monster Arcana will be available in the U.S. for $95.

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Who: Ash Roesch

Where He Works: The Whiskey Brooklyn and The Whiskey Shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Why bartending?

I have a lot of family history in bartending. Some of my favorite stories from my grandfather are about his time behind the bar. Additionally, my sister and brother both spent time behind the pine. When looking for work after leaving Brooklyn Brewery, moving behind the bar at beer bar in midtown made a lot of sense.

What was your favorite cereal now and what was your favorite cereal growing up?

Growing up my favorite cereal was probably Lucky Charms. Now, my favorite cereal is my mom’s homemade granola.

What is your favorite bar joke?

My favorite bar joke is probably saying that a drink with no garnish is like the worst of searches… Fruitless.

What is your whiskey(s) of choice for the Fall?

My favorite whiskey for the fall season is currently Ardbeg An Oa, smoky and delicious. I’m also loving the Basil Hayden Dark Rye on the rocks. The addition of a touch of port wine really brings a nice richness and dark fruit profile to an already splendid rye.

The post Griffin’s Corner: Ash Roesch appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.