Blackford Blended Artisan Scotch Whisky
Scotland
46% abv
Artisan Distilled and Handmade in Small Batches
Blackford is crafted by one of the few independent distilleries left in Glasgow. It is inspired by the smooth blends with less oak popular in prewar Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is a great example of how fresh and exciting some younger bottling can be.
Non Chill Filtered
No added colouring
90 Points Tasting Panel & Sommelier Journal
Penya
Côtes Catalanes, France
Cases de Pene is a tiny village in the Roussillon region of Southern France, just 30 miles north of the Spain. Ceded to France in the mid 17th century, the area is still known as “French Catalonia”. We celebrate this heritage with the Catalan spelling of the ancient Château and village Cooperative: “Penya”.
2020
Penya Blanc
100% Viognier
Offers an exotic nose of citrus, pineapple, mango and peach, with light floral notes. Light, lively, and very refreshing on the palate.
Mukai Shuzō
Kyoto, Japan
Located in the picturesque seaside village of Ine, with the brewery situated right on the water’s edge, Mukai Shuzō’s production is entirely junmaishu. The brewing is headed by Mukai Kuniko, one of Japan’s first female tōji, and one of the most creative altogether. Her ability to envision taste and her incredible technical prowess mean that she can construct sake flavors that are stunning and groundbreaking.
Mukai Shuzō "Ine Mankai"
Junmai Genshu
14.2% abv
One of the most unique sake made anywhere. The Ine Mankai from Mukai Shuzo is made with an ancient strain of red rice called Murasaki along with local Kyoto rice Iwai. In Japan, red rice has been cultivated and used for traditional celebrations in provincial villages and towns for centuries, but it is extremely rare to see red rice used in the production of sake. While studying fermentation and brewing techniques at Tokyo’s Nodai University, Kuniko Mukai met Professor Takeda who encouraged her to create a sake made from the red rice he knew grew locally in Kuniko's hometown of Ine. Professor Takeda also emphasised that the most important thing in sake brewing is the balance of flavours, with sweetness and acidity in harmony.
Thus Kuniko went away and began to formulate ideas for this perfectly balanced sake. In early 2000 Kuniko launched her red rice sake and called it 'Ine Mankai' meaning ‘Ine in Full Bloom’ and its well balanced levels of sweetness & acidity make it perfect for drinking with a wide variety of food. It has a complex cherry & vanilla aroma with unique sweet/tart cherry & pomegranate flavours and a savoury, umami rich palate that works equally well with savoury dishes as well as sweet. One of the most sublime combinations we’ve had with this is simply a piece of fine dark chocolate and a healthy glass of Ine Mankai - sensational!