A Cognac match for a king
Maison Courvoisier has added a brand new XO expression to its vary of Cognacs. Courvoisier XO Royal is a mix of previous Fins Bois de Jarnac and Grande Champagne eaux-de-vie. It pays homage to Edward VII Réserve, a mix that was created within the early twentieth century by Courvoisier’s first chief blender Henri Prodeaux for the then-king of England. A couple of bottles of this uncommon previous Cognac are preserved in Courvoisier’s Paradis cellar in Jarnac and shaped the start line for Patrice Pinet, the home’s sixth chief blender, to create the brand new expression. ‘It’s a privilege to pay homage to Maison Courvoisier’s historic recipe crafted for distinguished royalty,’ stated Pinet. ‘Courvoisier XO Royal marries exceptionally uncommon eaux-de-vie to create a full-bodied mix that balances heritage, craftsmanship, custom and innovation.’ The brand new XO combines lingering complexity and depth with Courvoisier’s signature floral model. £280/70cl Harrods, Harvey Nichols
What’s… barrel power?
Some aged spirits are described as ‘barrel power’ or ‘cask power’ – however what does this imply? Power refers back to the quantity of alcohol by quantity (abv) in a spirit, measured because the variety of millilitres of ethanol per 100ml of liquid. The standard abv is 40%. Aged whisky or rum begins life with the next abv as some alcohol will evaporate in the course of the time the liquid spends in wood casks. After maturation, producers can select to dilute the spirit again to about 40% or – in an effort to protect a sure character or flavours – to bottle their spirit at no matter power it has reached within the barrel, therefore the time period ‘barrel power’. This may at all times be greater than the everyday 40% – something as much as 66% – so remember {that a} barrel-strength whisky will probably be stronger than a daily whisky.
What to drink now… Penicillin
As the times get colder, why not attempt a fortifying shot of Penicillin? This contemporary basic is a twist on a Whisky Bitter and was invented by Australian bartender Sam Ross at Milk & Honey bar in New York in 2005. Taking its identify from the drug invented by Alexander Fleming and the medicinal qualities of honey and ginger, the cocktail has a complexity that comes from combining blended Scotch whisky with a smoky Islay single malt. Attempt Laphroaig 10 Yr Outdated (out there by way of Amazon UK).
Penicillin
Elements: 45ml blended Scotch whisky, 20ml lemon juice, 20ml honey syrup, 15ml ginger liqueur, 10ml Islay single malt whisky
Glass: Rocks
Garnish: Candied ginger
Methodology: Add the entire components to a shaker with ice. Shake till your palms are chilly, then pressure into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish
