‘Vellichor’ is a new word and refers to the aromatic atmosphere within second-hand bookshops. For this project, we have combined complex and impressively mature whiskies from renowned distilleries, as well as parcels of blends that have been aged for many years in ex-Sherry butts, to encapsulate this unique fragrance.

Weeks of tweaking led us to this combination of tropically fruity malt whiskies from the Glen Elgin and Speyburn distilleries, together with whiskies influenced by Oloroso Sherry casks. Single malt from the Ardmore Distillery lends a herbal Highland peat note.

This is sure to delight fans of warm and vibrant whiskies, whether synaesthetic or not. Though 2019 feels a very long time ago, we are delighted to finally share Mannie’s vision of delicious whisky with the world.

What does a colour taste like?

The Circle is our international bartender competition; it serves as a kind of symposium in which the bar world and whiskymakers can come together to share ideas. ‘Is it possible to make a whisky that evokes the colour of coral?’ was the idea Mannie Monaghan, 2019’s winner, posed to us.

It wasn’t until after Mannie Monaghan won our international bartender programme The Circle in 2019, and we began working on a whisky together, that we learned he is synaesthetic. Mannie wanted his whisky to evoke a particular colour – coral – and so began a unique whisky-making project.

Affecting roughly 4% of the population, those with synaesthesia often experience a blending of their senses – for Mannie, aromas and flavours reveal a spectrum of colour. Not being synaesthetic ourselves, Mannie spent two lengthy sessions in the Blending Rooms, scouring sample boxes for whiskies that matched the warmth and powerful positivity of Living Coral.

FLAVOUR PROFILE (FOR NON-SYNAESTHETES)

We love the bright pineapple and stewed peach aromas that leap out of the glass. The flavour is of vanilla, honey and sultanas soaked in Cognac.

Ultramarine is inspired by an iconic deluxe blended Scotch, in particular the first bottlings of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Harnessing old school Sherry
casks and ethereal peatiness, Ultramarine highlights the enchanting possibilities, and the breadth of flavours and textures, afforded by combinations of aged malt and grain whiskies.

Powerfully flavoursome and impressively textural, the first release in the Extinct Blends Quartet relies on mature malts from the Caol Ila and Glendullan distilleries; aged grains from the Cameronbridge and Girvan distilleries, as well as a medley of pre-blended stocks.

Welcome to our flavour time machine

Bottles of Scotch whisky are time capsules. Even more than single malts, blends can reflect the production methods and philosophies that prevailed in Scotland during specific eras. Scotch is constantly evolving, and blends aggregate these trends and adaptations.

Fashions change, and formulae follow suit. Blended whiskies of the 1970s, '80s and '90s are very different to today’s versions, even when the brand name remains the same. The Extinct Blends Quartet reimagines four of our favourite blended Scotches from yesteryear, using some of our rarest and most idiosyncratic stocks of whisky.

FLAVOUR PROFILE

Toffee, antique polished oak and complex peatiness are primary aromas, with a palate of roasted pecan, raisins and smoke.