Albannach launches own brand drinks
Date Posted: 29 Aug 08
Posted By: Paul Caffell
Keywords: None
In keeping with its long tradition of sourcing the best produce from north of the border, Albannach, London’s finest contemporary Scottish restaurant and bar presents a range of exceptional own-brand products.
Whisky Beer
Albannach Scottish Whisky Beer is a premium ale produced to a recipe unique to Albannach. The exclusive brew has been created by award-winning independent Stirling brewing house Traditional Scottish Ales Ltd (TSA) using the first waters of the distillery mash tun and fermented with whisky yeast. The beer is then matured in freshly disgorged American white oak casks from the Tullibardine distillery. It is whilst maturing in the whisky barrels that the beer develops the same golden colour associated with Scotland’s national drink and is infused with a subtle, yet unmistakable flavour and slightly smoky aroma of whisky.
As with all of TSA’s products, Albannach Scottish Whisky Beer is hand crafted from the finest natural ingredients without additives or preservatives.
Blonde and 80/-
Complementing the Scottish Whisky Beer are Scottish Blonde Beer and Scottish 80/- Beer, again brewed and bottled by TSA especially for Albannach. Scottish Blonde is a light golden beer, produced in small batches from organically grown malted barley and hops and Scottish spring water. With a clean, refreshing taste, a hint of citrus on the palate and a zesty finish, it has been designed as a full-flavoured alternative to lager.
Taking its name from the eighty shilling tax once imposed on a hogshead (504 pint barrel) of export strength beer, Albannach Scottish 80/- uses maris otter, cara and chocolate malts. The result is a rich, full-bodied, malty, deep-ruby coloured beer, with a complex, hoppy aroma, a hint of treacle on the finish and a crisp, dry aftertaste.
Whisky
Albannach wouldn’t be truly Scottish without its whisky and now introduces three malts of its own, bottled by award-winning Aberdeenshire independent whisky bottler, Duncan Taylor & Co. Albannach Islay is a nine year old 1998 Bowmore, a fine example from the heart of the island that balances the southern peat intensity with smoother characteristics associated with the north.
Bottled from American oak casks, Albannach’s Speyside fourteen year old single malt was distilled in 1993 at the Mortlach distillery. As with the Islay, the colour comes only from the barrels in which it has rested, resulting in a lighter hue than many whiskies. Vanilla and dried fruit on the nose lead to a smooth palate and finish of bitter chocolate, with a hint of aromatic smoke.
Bottled at 46% ABV, these single malts have not been chill filtered, leaving the natural body of the malt intact. This also results in a smoother dram with a lingering finish that connoisseurs will appreciate.
Albannach’s Blended Malt has been created using only malt whiskies, each of which is at least ten years old. The flavour is smooth and rounded, almost chewy, with a hint of smoke, butterscotch and raisins.
The exclusive whiskies are magnificent additions to Albannach’s unrivalled 170-strong whisky list.
Water
Albannach’s Deeside Mineral Water flows from the Pannanich Wells near Balmoral Castle. Noted since 1760 for its purity, the pH, mineral content and redox potential of this water, bottled especially for Albannach, all support the anti-oxidant process. As well as the beneficial effect this may offer to the body, the characteristics of the water make it a fine partner for whisky. The carbonation of the sparkling mineral water is light to make it a perfect accompaniment for Albannach’s exemplary cuisine.
venue details: Albannach
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