anCnoc Highland single malt Scotch whisky has released a limited edition expression, Blas in collaboration with award-winning fashion designer Patrick Grant.
Blas, translated as ‘taste’ in Gaelic, is presented in a specially designed bottle by Edinburgh-born Patrick Grant. Patrick spent designed the bespoke print, which is inspired by the brand, flavour notes of the limited edition liquid, and the time-honoured production methods used at the Knockdhu distillery.
Patrick is the creative director of Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons and luxury menswear label E.Tautz, and a judge on hit BBC2 show The Great British Sewing Bee. The Blas design includes inspiration from members of the public who contributed to Patrick’s work by submitting ideas via social media.
(Read the background to this collaboration in the earlier report in September 2015: anCnoc Scotch whisky enters design partnership)
Patrick Grant commented: “I spent a lot of time at not only taking in the landscape and surrounding areas, but getting to know the people that work there and the methods that they use. Everything in the print is from the hill, the village of Knock or within the distillery itself and tells the story of the making of Blas. I’ve tried to interpret anCnoc’s history and tradition in a modern way, and hope this is translated through the aesthetic of the bottle.”
In appearance, Blas is golden and honeyed. On the nose it is densely sweet and fruity with notes of lemon and candied orange peel. Tones of bitter chocolate and vanilla add complexity and weight. To taste, Blas is full bodied and oily, leaving a lasting impression. This limited edition has been matured in American oak barrels and Spanish oak butts. Chosen at its optimum level of maturation by our blender, Mark Williamson, it has been bottled at 54% and in its most natural state, neither chill filtered nor coloured.
anCnoc brand manager Stephanie Allison says: “The Knockdhu distillery is like no other, using traditional production methods to craft every whisky that is released. The partnership with Patrick pays homage to this, celebrating these time-honoured traditions. Every drop of this limited edition Scotch whisky celebrates Patrick and anCnoc’s shared Scottish heritage and the spirit of Modern Tradition.”
The Patrick Grant Limited edition, Blas, retails at £50 for 70cl and is available from Independents and Specialist Retailers throughout the UK.
15 February 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor
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