Nc’nean launches first spring seasonal release

B Corp-certified whisky brand Nc’nean has launched the first release from its new spring series, called Huntress 2022.

Inspired by the ‘queen of spirits’, Neachneohain, Huntress 2022 is the first expression to feature one of Nc’nean’s yeast trials, which uses three different yeast varieties.

Founder Annabel Thomas said: “We’ve been talking a lot about sustainability recently, but now it is the turn of some of our spirit experiments to take the spotlight.

“Yeast is something I’ve been fascinated with since day one. We’ve been running yeast trials every year, and this is the first one to be let loose in the world – it was a favourite of mine when I tasted the new make in 2018.

“We’ve used the same ratio of casks as our normal Nc’nean Organic, so you can really tell the difference the yeast has made. I can’t wait to hear what people think.”

One of the yeast strains used, Distila Max RM, is most commonly used in rum production and develops notes of tropical fruits, coupled with a rich minerality, bringing a new complexity to this whisky.

Distilled in August of 2018 on Scotland’s western Morvern Peninsula, this whisky was launched to coincide with Earth Day  (April 22) to reflect Thomas’ mission to create a whisky that works in harmony with nature, by putting the planet first.

It was aged for three years in a combination of STR-Red wine and ex-Bourbon oak casks, and bottled at 48.5% ABV.

Last year, Nc’nean became the first whisky distillery in the UK to be verified as having net zero carbon emissions from their own operations (scopes 1 and 2).

The Huntress seasonal release is now available in the UK on ncnean.com and through select retailers priced at £85 (US$109), with a limited run of 4,447 bottles.

It will be released over various dates (not yet confirmed) via Nc’nean’s distributors in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Sweden.