UP Malt Whisky Essence 20 ml

UP Malt Whisky Essence 20 ml

Malt whisky is the drawing room of the whisky world – the style in which the barley malt speaks for itself, with no lighter grain spirit watering down the message. The result is a drink of weight and depth, every sip holding a cornfield, a beehive and an open fire all at once. UP Malt Whisky Essence is built to capture exactly that whole: full-bodied malt at the centre, fruit and honey gathered around it, and a thin thread of smoke that ties everything together.

This is a whisky for anyone who wants to sit down with the glass, not for anyone in a hurry. It rewards being swirled, nosed and pondered over – and it changes noticeably with a teaspoon of water.

Colour & Appearance

In the glass the drink turns a deep gold, leaning towards old gold and pale amber. It moves slowly when you swirl the glass and leaves clear, close-set legs behind it.

Nose

The nose opens with warm malt, like freshly baked barley bread and oat biscuits, followed by runny honey and heather in bloom. After a while the fruit steps forward: ripe pear, dried apricots and a handful of raisins. In the background lie vanilla, freshly planed oak and a gentle smoke.

Palate

The palate is round and malty from the very first second. The honeyed sweetness settles softly over the tongue and is joined by pear, baked apple and dried fruit – figs, raisins and a little orange peel. Mid-palate the toasted oak takes over with vanilla, toffee and a drier, nutty note that tightens up the whole. The smoke is there all along, but as seasoning and never as the lead: a light, dry smokiness that adds depth without dominating. That balance of sweet, fruity and dry is what makes it so easy to come back to.

Finish

The finish is long, warm and gently dry. Malt, honey and oak fade out at an unhurried pace, and right at the end a thin wisp of smoke and a hint of dried fruit linger on the palate.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished spirit, ready to enjoy straight away but all the better for a few days’ rest. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• Neat in a tulip-shaped glass at room temperature – the best way to bring out the malt and honey.
• With a few drops of fresh water to open up the fruit and the heather notes.
• Over a single large ice cube on a warm summer evening.
• In an Old Fashioned with a sugar cube, bitters and a strip of orange peel.
• With dark chocolate, a mature hard cheese or a piece of hot-smoked salmon.

About the Essence

UP stands for Ultra Premium, the highest quality level in the range. Extra care has gone into the depth of flavour, and into making malt, fruit, oak and smoke melt into one whole instead of standing apart – precisely what separates a really good malt whisky from a mediocre one.

Malt is the whisky to keep at home as the house pour – just as suited to the armchair after dinner as to well-made drinks. The essence is also available in 280 ml, 1000 ml and 25 litres for anyone who wants to mix larger batches.