Glenrinnes Distillery bottles barrel-aged vodka
Scottish producer Glenrinnes Distillery has launched a Muscat barrel-aged vodka,as part of its limited edition Producers' Series.
The creator of Eight Lands Gin and Vodka, which debuted in 2019, has introduced its Barrel Aged Organic Vodka to the UK market. Crafted by the head of distilling and operations, Meeghan Murdoch, this is the second release in the Producers' Series. “I have long been interested in the impact that different barrels can have on spirits, all the way back to my time as a winemaker, and it’s fascinating to see what whisky makers are using now to finish their products,” commented Murdoch. “Our vodka is such a fantastic spirit; I knew it would make the perfect starting point for something new and exciting. I hadn’t ever seen a vodka aged in a Muscat barrel and quickly knew we were onto a winner once the vodka had spent a short time in the barrel." The Eight Lands Organic Vodka was aged for two months to create the expression. Virgin casks were filled with brandy, followed by Muscat wine, before being filled with Eight Lands Vodka. The resulting liquid presents aromas of Muscat wine, oak and vanilla on the nose, with a palate of apricot and raisin flavours. Founder of Glenrinnes Distillery Alex Christou said: “We are really excited about this release – whether or not it is the world’s first Muscat barrel-aged vodka – it really is something special. "It’s delicious, and feedback from both trade and consumers has been fantastic so far. Based on the fact that our sloe gin release sold out in a matter of days, we are expecting demand to be high for this.” The distillery recommends the bottling served as a Martini, with a hint of very dry vermouth, or topped with tonic water over ice. The distillery and visitor centre is located in Speyside, Scotland, at the foot of Ben Rinnes mountain. Barrel Aged Organic Vodka clocks in at 41.6% ABV, and retails for RRP £37 (US$46.15) per 500ml bottling. Only 758 hand-numbered bottles have been rolled out, available from department store Harvey Nichols, The Whisky Exchange, and a collection of independent retailers.
