Being a typical girl, whisky has never been my drink. So when I was invited to Glenfiddich Cocktail Reimagined, I was really apprehensive. I almost decided to can the event at last minute but I am glad I didn’t and decided to go. Yangdup Lama is a renown name in the mixology segment. To my happy surprise he is the man behind the new range of cocktails by Glenfiddich. I tried couple of drinks and I’m going to recommend drinks in two segments.
For the first time whisky drinkers
If you are newbie or you have recently started drinking whisky, then should be trying out the Mulberry Sparkle. This drink is absolutely yum and it comes with a dried fig on the top. Whenever you feel the whisky is getting too overwhelming, just bite into the fig and you are good to go. Despite being made from fig puree, the drink is not sweet. The fig puree complements the sweetness of the malt, and the splash of ginger juice gives it a spicy zing. The lime juice gives it a surprising citrus finish. Lama has made sure that there is a hint of sweetness without hindering the actual taste of whisky. Topped with apple juice, this drink was definitely my favorite of the evening.
If you like spices then Brahamputra boat is also an interesting drink to try. It is made with a Glenfiddich 12YO and has a cinnamon base. What I loved about the drink, spices beautifully cut the bitterness of whiskey and makes it an ideal drink for a first time whisky drinker.
For the whisky connoisseurs
Now these are the cocktails which only a lover of whisky would appreciate.
Moon Spring– Made from Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, it is combined with Silver Tips Full-moon Tea enhancing its rum character. The Nasturtium Orange ice cube enhances the peppery finish of the 21 Year Old. Now what really makes this drink special is the ingredient used-Silver Tips Imperial Darjeeling Tea magical. It is plucked only on one full-moon night every year and harvesting period lasts only for 3 hours. This drink would be available at whooping INR 20,000 price at only select premium outlets.
Darjeeling Mail Old Fashioned– Made from the fruity Glenfiddich 18 Year Old, this drink is combined with Darjeeling Castleton Muscatel. The magical expression of the cocktail changes with every sip, thanks to its marigold finish. Castleton Muscatel is also known as the Champagne of Teas. It is a result of the finest Chinese saplings planted 125 years ago. The Castleton Muscatel second flush, over time, has acquired a sobriquet that’s anything but Chinese and compliments the whisky really well.
About the event: Glenfiddich Cocktails Reimagined
Cocktails Reimagined focussed on a selection of exotic cocktails with the finest ingredients painstakingly handpicked from diverse parts of India. Re-defining the rules of traditional cocktail making. The cocktails have been created with the Glenfiddich 12-, 15-, 18- and 21-year old single malt.
The exquisite cocktails have been created with the finest of ingredients that have never been explored in creating a cocktail before. The Silver Tips Full-moon Tea that is plucked only on one full-moon night every year. The Castleton Muscatel second flush is popularly known as the Champagne of Teas is a result of the finest Chinese saplings planted 125 years ago. Premium Kashmiri Walnuts, sourced and handpicked from the heartlands of India. The most premium bay leaf from Assam and exquisite cinnamon from Kerala. The Gung Giri estate’s premium coffee grown at an altitude of about 1100 meters.
James Pennefather, Managing Director, William Grant & Sons India said, “This initiative is an extension of Glenfiddich’s long illustrious history of innovation and having the confidence to try new things in an unconventional way. We really wanted to play with flavours and challenge the traditional tasting notes experienced in a cocktail. It has been an extremely passionate journey of carefully hand-selecting the finest of ingredients and pairing them with Glenfiddich to deliver palatability. We’re extremely thrilled today to present these new cocktails and are confident that they will intrigue and appeal to the Indian consumer.”
The famous critic Vir Das unveiled the drinks in the presence of Glenfiddich ambassador Angad Singh Gandhi.