Cellar Trends has officially launched Nomad Outland Whisky, a scotch whisky aged in Spain in sherry barrels, in the UK on behalf of leading spirits group González Byass.
It is made by taking an aged whisky – a blend of over 30 different single malt and grain whiskies from Scotland, particularly Speyside – to Jerez to complete maturation in Pedro Ximénez barrels.
It was developed by González Byass master blender Antonio Flores with whisky specialist Richard Paterson using whiskies sourced via Whyte & Mackay.
After being taken on by UK distributor Cellar Trends last year, it was launched to the trade last week.
Antonio said, “This has been a most interesting project to be involved in. Seeing the way in which the whiskies chosen by Richard interacted with the different sherry barrels was fascinating until we lighted on the Pedro Ximénez ageing whisky which most certainly was the best result.
“Rich and rounded, the sweetness of the wood and the wonderful Pedro Ximénez character which infuses the spirit make this a most exceptional spirit.”
Many whiskies are aged in sherry casks in Scotland but Nomad is the only whisky in the world that is allowed to age in the González Byass cellars in Jerez, coming into contact with the wild yeasts and flors that imbue the town’s bodegas alongside the region’s humidity and sea breezes.
Richard said: “By holding the spirit long in the mouth, you will immediately savour its rare attributes. Glazed oranges, marzipan, tarte-tatin and black forest fruits immediately engulf your palate before the next barrage of flavours reward your senses: moist banana cake, peaches in syrup, mulled wine and whispers of liquorice and crushed almonds brings this masterpiece to a memorable close.”
This original blend is made up of whiskies of between five and eight years old which are left to mature in sherry butts in Scotland for three years. They are transferred to Jerez to be aged in the San Fernando cellars of González Byass for at least 12 months. The Nomad bodega houses 200 American oak casks, each with a capacity of 600 litres.
