Inver House Distillers has released a limited edition expression of its anCnoc Highland single malt scotch whisky in collaboration with designer Patrick Grant.
Blas, translated as ‘taste’ in Gaelic, is presented in an especially designed bottle by Edinburgh-born Patrick Grant. IHD says Grant spent over a year designing the bespoke print, which is inspired by the brand, flavour notes of the limited edition liquid, and the traditional production methods used at the Knockdhu distillery.
Grant is the creative director of Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons and luxury menswear label E.Tautz, and a judge on BBC2 show The Great British Sewing Bee. The Blas design is said to include inspiration from members of the public who contributed to his work by submitting ideas via social media.
The Patrick Grant Limited edition, Blas, retails at £50 for 70cl and is available from independents and specialist retailers throughout the UK.
Blas is described as golden and honeyed in appearance. On the nose it is said to be “densely sweet and fruity with notes of lemon and candied orange peel. Tones of bitter chocolate and vanilla add complexity and weight. To taste, Blas is full bodied and oily, leaving a lasting impression.”
Blas has been matured in American oak barrels and Spanish oak butts. It has been bottled at 54% abv and neither chill filtered nor coloured.
Patrick Grant said: “I spent a lot of time at Knockdhu not only taking in the landscape and surrounding areas, but getting to know the people that work there and the methods that they use. Everything in the print is from the hill, the village of Knock or within the distillery itself and tells the story of the making of Blas. I’ve tried to interpret anCnoc’s history and tradition in a modern way, and hope this is translated through the aesthetic of the bottle,” said Grant.
