
High Spirits
A month’s worth of comings and goings in the world of The Whisky Exchange
Here at The Whisky Exchange, we think that variety is very much the spice of life, and variety is exactly what we’ve brought you this month. Over the last few weeks, we’ve gone from admiring rare, exclusive, single cask Irish whiskeys to drooling over all-American donuts. We’ve pondered the cocktail possibilities of South African tonic syrups and we’ve waxed lyrical about the delights of Haggis Bon Bons. Some might call us greedy, we prefer to call it committed! Cheers!
What we’re dramming: Teeling 27 Year Old, The Whisky Exchange exclusive
A single cask from the distant past, this single malt hails from a time when Teeling wasn’t even a distillery yet; rather, the name of the family who have nurtured this whiskey through almost three decades. Distilled in 1991 – the heart of an era now famed in Irish whiskey for producing some of the fullest, fruitiest malts that the category has ever seen – this is a spectacularly fruit-led and flawlessly balanced whiskey. An impressive addition to any collection and a wonderful whiskey by anyone’s standards, this is a single, sherry-cask single malt selected by The Whisky Exchange team from Teeling’s incredible stocks.
£430 – thewhiskyexchange.com
What we’re drinking: Symmetry Tonic Syrups
Don’t worry, I’m not about to go all virtuous on you and start suggesting you substitute your whisky for soft drinks (I work for The Whisky Exchange, that might get me fired), but I am going to introduce you to one of the best soft drink options I’ve tried in a long time (oh, and it’s amazing with gin or for using in cocktail). The Geometric Drinks Company take inspiration from the Fynbos Floral Kingdom in their native South Africa, and use some incredible botanicals to create these stunning tonics. All three variants – Citrus, Floral or Spice – are beautifully balanced and much less sugary than your average tonic. Simply combine 50ml of tonic with 150-200ml carbonated water for a flavoured tonic mixer.
£16.95 each – thewhiskyexchange.com
What we’re mixing: Silent Pool Gin Berry Blend
Gin? Tick. Cognac? Tick. Kummel? Tick. This could be a match made in heaven. A short and strong serve that’s perfect for this slightly odd time of year when the evenings can surprise us with warmth, or shock us into the new season chill.
25ml Silent Pool Gin
25ml Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac
15ml Blackberry syrup
15ml kummel
Dash orange bitters
Shake all ingredients together and strain into a chilled rocks glass that has been rinsed with Kummel. Garnish with a flamed lemon zest.
Who we’re following: @whiskyanddonuts
Apologising in advance – because this is pretty much porn for whisky lovers with a sweet tooth – but the doughnuts seen over at @whiskyanddonuts are all from Stateside bakeries. So I’m sorry if you’re already salivating over the thought of California’s Sidecar Doughnuts, but most of the whiskies featured are available online at The Whisky Exchange! Hurrah!
Who we’re visiting: Iron Stag
Recently opened below Adam Handling’s The Frog Hoxton, Iron Stag is a whisky-lover’s dream. The drinks menu has been devised by a super-star duo Matt Whiley (Talented Mr Fox and owner of Scout) and Rich Woods (The Cocktail Guy), and celebrates all things whisky. The menu is one to be perused, with sections catering to a full spectrum of whisky drinkers.The ‘Whisky & Soda’ options give highball-lovers some interesting combinations of scotch whisky and mixers, served on tap or in individual pre-made bottles. ‘Whisky Fix’ (my favourite section) offers plenty of impressive cocktails that show some real love for rye, bourbon and world whisky. Throw in some delicious Haggis Bon Bons, Cheese Doughnuts and ‘Fat Bastard’ sandwiches, and it’s game over: I’m there all night.
45-57 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PD. Tues – Sat, 5.30pm to midnight
Words by Liz LOCK
Image Credits by The Whisky Exchange