AN ODE TO WHISKY AQUA VITAE “Water of life” There is a mystique that surrounds whisky lore which allures to the promise of some ancient connection to a simpler time in our existence, a bygone era that we gaze back upon longingly in starry-eyed wonderment. The very incantation of its name brings to mind vivid tableaux of misty moors and emerald fields; rocky outcrops and tortuous sheep-worn trails that snake their way through the highland countryside; of salt sprayed promontories, and jagged rock faces carved since time immemorial by the minions of Odin’s wrath; where the benediction of monks can be heard wafting from lofty peaks of roughly-hewn stone; and tartan-clad warriors cross hand-forged steel on the battlefield, and by night, in the flickering light of the great hall, drink deeply from bottomless tankards. This extant elixir transcends time and place and allows us, at least for the briefest moment, a glimpse into the zeitgeist of our forefathers. #bar1806 ILLUSTRATIONS BY JARRYD HARDNER WHISKY MENU 1 AN ODE TO WHISKY 4 TASTING EXPERIENCES 5 WHISKY FLIGHTS 6 - 17 WHISKY OF SCOTLAND ISLAY HIGHLANDS SPEYSIDE CAMPBELTOWN LOWLANDS BLENDED MALT 18 - 21 WHISKEY OF AMERICA BOURBON WHISKEY RYE WHISKEY TENNESSEE WHISKEY NEW VENTURES 22 - 25 WHISKEY OF IRELAND PURE POT STILL SINGLE MALT IRISH BLENDS 26 - 28 WHISKY OF JAPAN 29 - 30 WHISKY OF AUSTRALIA 31 - 32 INDEPENDENT LIMITED & RELEASES 33 WORLD WHISKY 34 - 36 GLOSSARY TASTING EXPERIENCES INTRODUCTION TO WHISKY $60.00 This is the perfect introduction to the water of life. Here we focus on the many different styles of whisky available today. Whether you are a whisky lover or new to the malt– there is a dram here for everyone. THE MIGHTY CASK $80.00 The next step in our appreciation of whisky and what separates it from other spirits. Here we look at the cask and the impact each one has on your bottle of whisky. Do you love the vanilla & coconut from a bourbon barrel or prefer the fruit & nutty flavours from a sherry cask? Lets chat. FINE DRAMS $100.00 Now we’re talking. Here we dust off the bottles from the higher shelves and enjoy some of the older whiskies available on the bar. When the bottles are gone, they are gone! All above experiences include a welcome drink, a discussion on whisky followed by 4 whiskies to taste and finished with some canapés. ETERNAL DECANTERS $16.00 This project sees us play around with the art of blending. Here we have two decanters - one peated, one unpeated - that are constantly morphing and changing as we add different whiskies to them. We will add blends, grains & malt from all sides of the world, ranging from 3 to 30 years old, matured in numerous casks including virgin, bourbon, rum, wine, fortified - you name it! 4 WHISKY FLIGHTS TOUR OF SCOTLAND $40.00 Immerse yourself in the rich, diverse range of whiskies that are scattered across the moor, islands, Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. Cragganmore Distiller’s Edition, Glen Scotia Double Cask, Highland Park Dark Origins, Inchmurrin 12 Year Peated FLIGHT AROUND ISLAY $50.00 Scotland’s most iconic whisky producing region, you either absolutely love it or you do not – yet! This flight showcases some of the finest whisky the island region has to offer. Bruichladdich Organic Barley, Bowmore Vault, Kilchoman Sherry Cask, Lagavulin 12 Year 2017 JOURNEY THROUGH THE ORIENT $50.00 Showcasing what the Far East has to offer with some fine whiskies from Japan and Taiwan, this collection gives up a combination of flavours of some highly sought after liquid. The Chita, Ichiro Malt & Grain, Yoichi Single Malt, Kavalan Sherry Oak VISIT THE EMERALD ISLE $40.00 This is a great example of what is currently on offer when it comes to Irish Whiskey. Here we showcase the many different styles that are produced in Ireland including the unique Single Pot Still Whiskey. Egan’s Vintage, Green Spot, Teeling Brabazon No.1, Connemara Some whiskies are subject to change due to availability. All measurements are per 15ml tasting. 5 WHISKY OF SCOTLAND No one knows the exact identity of the first Scotsman to distil spirits, nor are they sure when or where the first malt whisky was made, but one fact of which we can be certain is that whisky is endemic in Scottish culture. As with all great enterprise mass whisky production was born out of economic necessity, Highland farmers burdened with a surplus of grain discovered that through fermentation and distillation a supplementary source of income could be made. Barley was most commonly used, although wheat and oats were also turned into whisky. The leap toward a global industry started with the invention of the Coffey still in 1827. For many early imbibers malt whisky was an acquired taste but this new still produced a much lighter, less robust and therefore a more widely appealing whisky than its predecessor and at a far greater volume to boot. Abrogation of laws restricting the use of continuous still whisky in the 1860s paved the way for blended whiskies to consumers’ great delight. In the 1870s a rampant strain of phylloxera devastated Cognac production. Naturally, a suitable replacement was needed. Scotch whisky was suddenly lauded as the drink du jour. 6 THIS IS ISLAY A region renowned for its heavily peated style of whisky, such as Octomore and Lagavulin, it is understandable why one would assume that the island’s titular whisky is predominantly peat-centric. One of five whisky distilling localities in Scotland whose identity is protected by law, there are eight active distilleries on the island offering several contrasting styles of Scotch. This is an island steeped in tradition, with a whisky to suit all palates. ARDBEG UIGEADAIL 54% $18.00 Bottled at cask strength, this whisky is a marriage of ex-American bourbon barrels and sherry butts, giving a sweet and smoky finish to this malt. Some consider this to be the core of the range. ARDBEG GROOVES 46% $20.00 Ardbeg Grooves was a special release to celebrate Ardbeg Day on June 2nd, 2018 (the Distilleries Open Day during the Islay festival). Part Maturation in extremely charred ex- red wine cask. Heavy iodine spice with unusual herbaceous notes paired with stone fruits. Sea salt with a touch of leather allow for a balanced bonfire smoke finish. ARDBEG CORRYVRECKAN 57.1% $22.00 Taking its name from the famous whirlpool that lies to the north of Islay, where only the bravest souls dare to venture. This whisky starts with chocolate and blackberries on the palate, with hickory and star anise before the finish. BOWMORE 12 YEAR OLD 40% $14.00 Remarkably long and complex, finishing with hints of vanilla ice cream. BOWMORE 18 YEAR OLD 43% $22.00 The official replacement for Bowmore seventeen year old, this whisky has become a fan favourite from the Bowmore portfolio. It is a fresh dram, with notes of salty kippers and coal smoke. BOWMORE VAULT 57.5% $23.00 Matured in their No. 1 Vault maturation warehouse, this dram contains hints of sun-ripened fruit, spiced cocoa and blood orange. BRUICHLADDICH BERE BARLEY 50% $17.00 A 2009 vintage single malt from Bruichladdich, made with 100% organically grown Scottish barley. In fact, the whole process of making this whisky, from barley to bottle, has been organically certified by the Biodynamic Association! Vanilla cream and lemon zest is followed by a refreshing and clean finish. 7 MORE FROM ISLAY BRUICHLADDICH OCTOMORE 8.1 59.3% $27.00 The first expression of Octomore released by the new head distiller Adam Hannet. Aged for 8 years exclusively in first fill American oak casks with 42,000 bottles exclusively, peated to a level of 168 PPM. Well-rounded peat smoke with toffee and chocolate, winding into a deep balance of a vanilla and creamy finish. BRUICHLADDICH OCTOMORE 8.4 58.7% $34.00 The last release in the Masterclass series, it was created to examine the effect of virgin oak on this intensely peated spirit. The barley was peated to 170 PPM, with only 12,000 bottles released worldwide. Heavy oak is married with sweet honey malt and toffee. Unrelenting peat becomes submissive with coconut and cooked apples. BRUICHLADDICH OCTOMORE 8.3 61.2% $35.00 With casks aged 0.1 miles away from the sea, there is a salty influence on the whisky with 309PPM. Aged for 5 years in 56% American Oak barrels and lives in European, Ex-Paulliac, Ventoux, Rhone and Burgundy casks for the remainder. Aggressive vanilla and peat go hand- in-hand here, plenty of chocolate jumping the gun over a sharp spice, finishing beautifully with tobacco and coffee. BUNNAHABHAIN 25 YEAR OLD 46.3% $50.00 Aged in refilled sherry casks, you’ll detect notes of figs and raisins on the nose, with a slight hint of chocolate and espresso. CAOL ILA DISTILLERS EDITION 43% $20.00 This distiller’s edition from Caol Ila is finished off in sweet muscatel wine casks for an extra depth of sweetness. It hits the nose with the smell of crisp smoky bonfires, then provides complexity on the palate with bold notes of cinnamon spice. CAOL ILA 18 YEAR OLD UNPEATED 59.8% $21.00 Although Caol Ila is renowned for its peat smoke – there’s so much more to this single malt than merely its ember qualities. Once a year the distillery swaps out its peated regimen for unpeated production runs, and the fruits of that labour shine through. A creamy and fruity expression coupled with sea salt and caramel, finishing with what could be discerned as smoke.