Ahead of the return of Old Fashioned Week in November, Glen Moray single malt whisky is being promoted for twists on the classic cocktail alongside the creation of the brand’s own bitters.
Drinks specialists Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison have created five new recipes using whiskies from the Glen Moray Elgin Classic Collection and the bourbon-inspired Glen Moray Fired Oak 10 Year Old Single Malt which was released a year ago.
The team from the Glen Moray distillery on Speyside have also created their own unique Glen Moray Bitters as a substitute for the aromatic bitters traditionally used in the cocktail. The aromas and flavours of the Glen Moray Bitters are from the maceration and distillation of rosemary and pepper with natural quinquina, dry gentian, absinthe, angelica and whisky. The bitters are available exclusively to bartenders and will be showcased at masterclasses and consumer shows around the world.
To complete the circle, the owner of Glen Moray Distillery, the La Martiniquaise-Bardinet company, has launched its renowned Griottines Cherries in the UK this October, providing another key ingredient for an Old Fashioned.
As part of its message about the versatility of single malt, Glen Moray ran a series of Old Fashioned masterclasses around the UK for the trade and consumers this autumn, again with Neil and Joel who head spirits guide and consultancy World’s Best Spirits.
Traditionally made with American whiskey, the Old Fashioned can be made with a variety of spirits including rum and scotch whisky. It is championed through Old Fashioned Week which runs globally from November 1 to 10 this year.
Neil and Joel’s five new Glen Moray Old Fashioned Cocktails
Marmalade Old Fashioned (pictured top)
50ml Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish whisky
1 heaped tsp Marmalade
3 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
In an Old Fashioned glass, add the marmalade and whisky and stir down. Add a couple of cubes of ice and pour over the whisky. Stir down again before adding the bitters. Add more ice and stir. Once the drink is balanced, garnish with candied orange.
Play It Again, Sam
50ml Glen Moray Elgin Classic whisky
1 tsp Golden caster sugar
2 tsp Water
2 tsp Rose water
1 dash Bob’s Cardamom Bitters
In an Old Fashioned glass, mix the sugar and water by stirring with a bar spoon, slowly adding ice. Then add the rose water and keep stirring. Add more ice and the whisky followed by the dash of bitters until smooth. Add more cubed ice. Garnish with a rose petal.
The Pink Old Fashioned
50ml Glen Moray Port Cask Finish whisky
1 tsp Golden caster sugar
2 tsp Water
2 dashes Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters
In an Old Fashioned glass, add the sugar and water with a cube of ice and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the whisky and stir down with another cube of ice. Then add the bitters and another cube of ice, while stirring down. Keep adding ice and stirring until the drink is well balanced and not too diluted. Garnish with a fresh cherry. Option to lengthen with sparking water for an “Old Fashioned Spritz”.
Southern Old Fashioned
50ml Glen Moray Fired Oak whisky
1 tsp Maple syrup
2 dashes Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub
Add the maple syrup and the whisky into an Old Fashioned glass and stir a few times to mix together. Then fill with three ice cubes and add 2 dashes of the habanero shrub. Keep adding ice, stirring and tasting until perfectly balanced and garnish with a green chili pepper cut down the middle. Optional: rim the glass with chili salt.
Smoke and Mirrors
50ml Glen Moray Peated Single Malt whisky
1 tsp Dark brown soft sugar
2 tsp Water
2 dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters
In an Old Fashioned glass, add the sugar and water and mix. Add a cube of ice and continue to mix. Add the bitters, more ice and mix. Finally, once the drink is the right mix of flavours, garnish with a sprig of pine.
Neil and Joel have also created short film guides to making an Old Fashioned. Click here for a video on how to make a Glen Moray Classic Old Fashioned and click here for a Glen Moray Fired Oak Old Fashioned.
Leave a Reply