The highly anticipated fourth release in Nc’nean’s boundary-pushing Huntress series is due to land on shelves and online in the UK and Europe on the 29th April. The new release, Lemon Meadow, showcases Nc’nean’s passion for fermentation experiments.
The new Huntress Lemon Meadow release is unique because it uses a yeast derived from French sparkling wine production, which is rarely used in Scotch whisky making. It brings buttery, citrusy and biscuity notes, much like those associated with the wine itself.
Single malt whisky is made with malted barley, water, and yeast – it is a high-yield brewer’s or distiller’s yeast that is typically used for this third component, yet experimenting with unusual yeast strains has proven to be highly fruitful to Nc’nean.
When matured in their house-style casks of ex-STR red wine, ex-American whiskey and ex-Oloroso sherry, the result from fermenting with the French sparkling wine yeast is a creamy, delicious and slightly floral whisky, with flavours of lemon sorbet, fresh chamomile and all butter, shortbread.
The Huntress series is inspired by Nc’nean’s namesake – Gaelic goddess Neachneohain, who was known as a huntress and for walking her own path. This series is centred around that ethos of discovery and Nc’nean’s passion for hunting for unique flavours in whisky making.
Each release pushes boundaries by experimenting with a variety of production methods. For example, the 2024 release, Huntress Orchard Cobbler, was the result of trialling different cut points on their multiple spirit runs.
Whilst Nc’nean, an independent organic brewery, has gained global recognition for its exceptional sustainability credentials, its passion for pushing boundaries in whisky making should also be applauded.
Innovation has been integral to the brand’s ethos since day one. The whisky used in Huntress Lemon Meadow is the product of their first yeast trial in 2017, the year they began distilling. This whisky further establishes Nc’nean’s position as a true industry leader in creating experimental spirits that taste delicious.
After sampling the whisky amongst themselves, the team discovered that this release pairs incredibly well with Island Bakery’s organic Lemon Melts made by Nc’nean’s neighbouring bakery on the Isle of Mull, which, like Nc’nean, is powered by renewable energy.
Huntress Lemon Meadow Details:
- Tasting notes: Lemon sorbet, fresh chamomile, butter shortbread
- 48.5% abv
- 5,729 bottles available globally
- Cask mix: 56% ex-STR red wine, 42% ex-American whiskey, 2% ex-Oloroso sherry
- Certified organic, non-chill filtered, natural colour
Nc’nean’s new boundary-pushing limited edition, Lemon Meadow, will launch on 29th April 2025.
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