anCnoc collaborates with designer for new edition

Highland single malt Scotch brand anCnoc has released a new limited edition expression, the bottle for which has been designed in collaboration with fashion designer Patrick Grant.

The packaging for new anCnoc Blas has been designed by Savile Row’s Patrick Grant

Blas, meaning ‘taste’ in Gaelic, does not carry an age statement and has been matured in American oak and Spanish casks. The whisky is also non-chill-filtered and does not have any caramel colouring.

Edinburgh-born Patrick Grant, creative director of Savile Row tailors Norton & Sons, spent more than a year designing the bespoke print that features on the bottle of Blas.

Inspired by the surrounding landscape of the Knockdhu Distillery, where anCnoc is produced, as well as its traditional production methods, Grant designed the bottle with input from members of the public, who submitted ideas via social media.

“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,” said Grant.

“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.”

AnCnoc Blas is said to have an aroma of lemon and candied orange peel and “full bodies and oily” flavour that “leaves a lasting impression”.

It is now available from independent and specialist drinks retailers at an RRP of £50.

In October last year, anCnoc extended its selection of limited edition peated whiskies with the launch of Rascan.