Holyrood launches Mexico-inspired new make

To mark World Whisky Day 2023 (20 May), Edinburgh-based Holyrood Distillery has unveiled a limited edition new make spirit inspired by Mexico.

The 60% ABV World Whisky Day 2023 Mexico bottling takes inspiration from Mexico’s history of rich and smoky distilled spirits.

The team has also drawn inspiration from the unique combination of malts and yeast found in ‘crisp refreshing’ lagers, utilising a malt called Golden Promise to give the spirit sweet, malty flavours and texture, and a Vienna malt for added bready, spicy notes.

For yeast, the Scottish distillery has used a Mexican lager yeast to add layers of citrus, and Distilamax TQ for a classic sharp and bitter taste usually associated with Tequila and mezcal.

Calum Rae, assistant distillery manager, said: “Experimenting and playing with flavours is a fundamental part of what we do at Holyrood Distillery. Each of our new make spirits showcase different ingredients not commonly seen in modern distilling, including heritage barleys, speciality malts, and a diverse range of yeast strains.

“For tasting notes, our latest World Whisky Day new make spirit has notes of sweet, sticky toffee and hints of hazelnut on the nose, followed by a burst of flavours that evoke dried fruit and sweet toffee cake.

“This is followed by a long finish that coats the mouth and brings to mind demerara sugar and a sharp bitter note reminiscent of mezcal. All of this is wrapped in a layer of warming spice and a texture that is light and creamy.”

This launch marks the second in an annual series of World Whisky Day releases by the distillery to be inspired by countries from around the world.

Last year, the urban distillery took inspiration from Japan’s national drink and launched a Japanese sake yeast new make spirit.

World Whisky Day 2023 Mexico will be available to purchase at Holyrood Distillery for RRP £35 (US$43.76).

Last year Holyrood debuted two new make spirits as part of a new category of ‘strong waters’.