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Circumstance Distillery releases two grain spirits

UK-based Circumstance distillery has extended its portfolio with the launch of two wheat and rye grain spirits.

Circumstantial Rye and Circumstantial Wheat are the latest releases from Bristol’s Circumstance Distillery

Bristol-based Circumstance distillery produces grain and cane spirits in a 1,800-litre hybrid still.

The site, which opened in August last year, is thought to be the first whisky and rum distillery in Bristol since the Bristol Distilling Co was destroyed in the Blitz.

The new expressions, Circumstantial Wheat 1:3:1:3:4 and Circumstantial Rye 1:2:1:5:9, are thought to be the UK’s first commercially available spirits of their kind.

Bottled at 48% ABV, Circumstantial Wheat was created using 83% malted wheat and 17% malted barley fermented for 12 days on a bed of Bavarian wheat yeast, French saison yeast and distillers yeast.

After distillation, it was matured for five months in 30-litre English chestnut casks. The resulting liquid is “big and creamy with rich, fruity toffee notes and a buttery finish”.

Meanwhile, Circumstantial Rye (41% ABV) is produced by fermenting 51% malted rye and 49% malted barley on mead yeast and distillers yeast for 11 days.

Following distillation, the liquid was aged on charred oak spindles and then first-fill American oak cask that previously aged Canton Tea’s Big Red Robe oolong tea leaves.

It is described as a “delicate and fresh rye, with notes of lightly spiced summer apple cake with hints of violet flowers”.

The new offerings join Circumstantial Barley, Circumstantial Mixed Grain and Circumstantial Cane in the range.

Danny Walker, co-founder of Circumstance, said: “At Circumstance we are flavour focussed and all about the long fermentations and short ageing.

“We use many different grains and yeasts, and our ageing combines the best of the traditional and the modern ageing techniques. Ultimately everything we do is born from a desire to make tasty liquid.”

Circumstantial Rye is priced at £24.95 (US$32.15), while Circumstantial Wheat has an RRP of £26 (US$33.50). The 700ml expressions are available to buy from Circumstance Distillery’s website and Master of Malt.

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