Compass Box Honors An Iconic Dessert
Compass Box pays homage to Chef François Massialot, creator of the crème brûlée, with its Brûlée Royale Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.
With a central focus on single malt aged in special American white oak barrels, the Brûlée Royale recipe combines casks that have been toasted and charred to provide sweetness. Clynelish and Benrinnes single malts play starring roles, while Speyburn and Ardbeg single malts are also featured in the 98 proof blend.
Chef Massialot created the iconic dessert that inspired this whisky more than 300 years ago in Versailles, France.
“Versailles was the epicenter of innovation in art, science and gastronomy in the 17th century, making it the ideal source of inspiration,” says Samuel Travers, the lead Compass Box whiskymaker in Brûlée Royale’s creation. “Through the lens of Chef Massialot’s intoxicating creation, we highlight a very special parcel of whisky from the Clynelish Distillery, which has been matured in second-fill custom American oak barrels that offer extravagant sweetness while their precise toasting and charring coax just a hint of scorched sugar.”
In classic Compass Box style, the Brûlée Royale packaging features unique artwork–this time focusing on rhe Versailles Palace kitchens where crème brûlée was created.
In a further nod to Chef Massialot, Compass Box collaborated with his renowned pastry chef Dominique Ansel to create the Brûlée Royale Fondue. Chef Ansel recreated the whisky in dessert form by topping off vanilla bean fondue with a splash of flambéed Brûlée Royale and serving it with bite-size sweet treats. Chef Ansel’s recipe will be available exclusively via the Compass Box website beginning October 8.
The limited edition Compass Box Brûlée Royale Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (8,556 bottles worldwide) will arrive nationwide beginning next Wednesday (October 8) for $159.99.
Ardbeg Goes Extraterrestrial For Smokiverse
Ardbeg celebrates Fèis Ìle (Islay's Festival of Music and Malt) and Ardbeg Day with the release of its Smokiverse. This limited edition will be the distillery’s first whisky crafted from a high-gravity mash.Ardbeg’s Whisky Creation Team began experimenting some years ago with the mashing process, in which malted barley is converted into fermentable sugars. One of their experiments involved reducing the amount of water used in the packed mash tun. This unconventional “high-gravity” mash magnified the intensity of flavor-active compounds known as acetate esters, leading to a fruitier, more tropical spirit.“The first whisky we have ever made with a high-gravity mash, Ardbeg Smokiverse takes our single malt’s classic peaty character to a new frontier of flavor," said Dr Bill Lumsden MBE, Ardbeg’s Director of Whisky Creation. "My ramping up the density of our wort to new heights, we’ve drawn in fruitier, sweeter flavors from the deepest corners of the mash tun. Upon first sip, you can expect a vibrant burst of fruity, ester notes, rather like smoked bubble gum, along with aromas of barley. Then peaty notes collide with juicy, tropical fruits, before sinking into a rich depth of muscovado sugar.”Inspired by this high-gravity mash, Ardbeg brought to life a space-inspired universe on Ardbeg Day. Committee Members and friends experienced the world of Smokiverse via cosmic games, space-themed cocktails, whisky tastings and smoky bites.“We’re inviting whisky fans from all corners of the world to join us – both at the Distillery, the beating heart of the Smokiverse, and beyond – to celebrate Ardbeg Day," said Jackie Thomson, Ardbeg Distillery Visitor Centre Manager and Ardbeg Committee Chair. We’re thrilled to share this whisky with smoky-malt lovers everywhere and send their tastebuds into overdrive with the release of this extraordinary new expression.”Ardbeg Smokiverse (96.6 proof) is available now for $124.99.