Sometimes you don’t see things coming and they hit you square in the tasting glass in the most surprising way. The latest among such unexpected moments stems from our clear glass ‘Heresy’ small-batch range, Gastronomic fusion. In many regards, this new arrival is a first for the Society. And whatever you’re expecting, it’s safe to say that this isn’t it! THIS, is a peated single grain whisky...

The aroma was that of the ultimate ham and cheese sandwich done the French way; a croque monsieur made using Dijon mustard and béchamel sauce – simply delicious. And so was the palate, lightly smoked porridge oats topped with slices of banana and sprinkled with cinnamon and brown sugar.

Following the careful addition of water, we got a large skillet of paella rice topped with artichokes, shrimps and spiced with sweet smoked paprika. To taste, we found fried garlic mushrooms with lightly smoked salmon and lemon-zested crème fraiche. This truly was an example of individual delicate flavours achieving that fascinating fusion of sweet, savoury and smoke.