Emma Glen Scotia partners with London’s first sherry bar to launch its latest limited-edition 12YO Seasonal Release 2022
Scottish distiller, Glen Scotia, has partnered with London’s first dedicated sherry bar, Bar Pepito, to launch its new 12-year-old Seasonal Release (£80, 53.3% ABV), and explore the flavours of Andalusia featured in the dram.
The latest unpeated, cask strength, natural coloured release from Glen Scotia has been matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before a final twelve-month finish in Amontillado Sherry casks, which hail from the Montilla region of southern Spain.
Amontillado sherry starts as a Fino sherry before an ageing period of around ten years, which dissipates the ‘flor’, and through wood exposure and oxidation, produces a nutty, dry, and beautifully amber liquid.
The result for the Seasonal Release 2022 is a warm, nutty dram with lingering vanilla notes and a mildly dry finish. Subtle maritime nuances on the nose and palate are synonymous with the iconic Campbeltown malt style.
Working alongside Bar Pepito’s owner, Richard Bigg, and its Executive Chef, Nacho del Campo, Glen Scotia has explored the character of sherry and its exquisite flavour profile to craft a list of food accompaniments to enjoy alongside its latest expression.
Chef Nacho’s accompaniments include a variety of dishes using the Seasonal Release 2022, with items that can be gathered from any traditional Spanish deli:
- Whisky-marinated gordal olives with orange and cumin – Nacho advises to first make an emulsion with a bit of mustard, cumin, orange zest, whiskey and extra virgin olive oil for marinading
- Sliced Iberico de bellota ham
- Cheese selection – Nacho recommends well-cured cheese like Manchego or parmesan to go well with Glen Scotia. Alternatively, blue cheese likeValdeón, Stilton or Roquefort. Smoked cheese also works well.
- Luxury dark chocolate slices – Nacho says dark chocolate around 64% works well, he previously created a ganache with the Glen Scotia liquid and pistachio.
- Grilled tendersterm broccoli with almond Ajo Blanco sauce and sliced grapes
- Grilled Andalusian chicken with Mojo Picón sauce
- Grilled octopus tentacle with roasted beetroot hummus
- Rare fillet steak of Ibérico pork (grilled) with baba ghanoush
- Dark chocolate and Glen Scotia ganache with raspberries and pistachios
Master Distiller, Iain McAllister and his team are behind the latest release from Scotland’s smallest whisky-making region.
He said: “Our Seasonal Release 2022 is a toast to the tight-knit community of Campbeltown. We can think of no better emblem for that community spirit than our Campbeltown market cross, which appears on the packaging of our latest annual release. It has long been a meeting point for local celebrations, which is what this dram is all about – best enjoyed when paired with good food and exceptional company.
“Our partnership with Bar Pepito and the team has been a fantastic voyage of discovery, exploring the Amontillado flavour which plays such an important role in our latest release. The dishes from Nacho, simple yet authentic, create a new and memorable experience for whisky drinkers to try at home.”
The Seasonal Release 2022 retails at £80 and is available for purchase from the Glen Scotia website (www.glenscotia.com) and Whisky Shop, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange
