With roots in both the Scottish Borders and the Hebrides, R&B Distillers are seeking to build distilleries in both – uncommon provenance for whisky production. The Borders has not seen a whisky distillery since 1837, and R&B are building the first legal one on the Isle of Raasay, planned to open early 2017. Co-founder Alasdair Day’s great-grandfather was a Borders master blender in the early 19th Century, while his other great-grandfather hailed from the Hebrides.
Building distilleries takes time though, so R&B are satisfying their impatience by crafting the styles of whisky representative of what’s to come; the aptly named Raasay While We Wait single malt, and Borders single grain. They also continue to promote their heritage brand The Tweeddale.
R&B have the tip and tail of Scotland covered when it comes to styles of whisky. Expertly handcrafting their award-winning classic blend of nine single casks, a distinct single malt finished in Tuscan red wine casks, and an uncommon single grain Scotch of malted barley and wheat, they demonstrate the vast differences in profile across drams. Scotch whisky is characterised by tradition, and the R&B collection pioneers Scotch that is informed but not constrained by tradition
BORDERS SINGLE GRAIN
Nose: Prominent sherry notes on the nose, hints of sugar-coated nuts.
Palate: Surprisingly dry on the palate with the sherry influences dominating. Walnuts balanced with vanilla, herbaceous and floral notes coming through towards the end, and just a touch of warm spice.
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Finish: Lingering, dry and complex.
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Recommended Food Pairing: Cocoa Black dark praline chocolates.
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Nose: Surprisingly very little smoke on the nose but instead light fruity notes come through.
Palate:Instantly there is peat smoke and spice (a distant campfire, black pepper, liquorice, oak and then the sea breeze) slowly this is balanced with the dry fruit from the Tuscan red wine casks (black currant, blackberry, raspberry and cherries) all blending together leaving a tantalising, lingering taste of what is to come.
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Finish:A long lingering finish that on closing your eyes takes you to Raasay.
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Recommended food pairing: Sconser Scallops, Smoked Salmon, game, grouse, woodcock, venison, creamy blue cheese, bacon, haggis.
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I’ve teamed up with R&B Distillers to offer you the chance to win those two expressions and enable you to celebrate Burns Night in style! (Enter the competition on either Facebook or Twitter until the 25th of January. Winners will be announced on the 26th of January.)
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