DEWAR’s, the world’s most awarded blended Scotch whisky, is celebrating the launch of the latest additions to its innovative Cask Finish Series, Caribbean Smooth and Ilegal Smooth, into bars in the UK; with a Burger & ’Ball experience in London this August and a host of partnerships with other venues across the country this summer. Dewar’s has created an alternative to the traditional with its Cask Finish Series, where its blended Scotch whisky has been influenced by the exotic flavours of Mexico and the Caribbean. Both inspired by the fusion of cultures that can be found in the new range, Truffle London will create special twists on its infamous burgers, whilst a menu of Dewars’s hero Highball cocktails will be on tap – curated to pair perfectly, by the lead creative at Mr Lyan Studio, and Dewars’s creative consultant Mark Low. To transport your tastebuds this summer, head here to book, with prices starting at £10 for one Burger & ‘Ball pairing.
Each expression within the Dewars’s Cask Finish Series brings together the best of two worlds; combining Dewars’s classic honeyed and fruity house style with unique casks to infuse a taste of another culture in each dram to amplify the whisky’s smoothness and depth of complexity.
For those looking for a less traditional taste of summer, Dewars’s 8-Year-Old Ilegal Smooth, finished in Ilegal Mezcal casks, is a pioneering spirit, with Dewars’s being one of the first to age Scotch whisky in Mezcal barrels following a change in Scotch Whisky Association regulations in 2019. Dewars’s Ilegal Smooth offers a uniquely smoky, punchy taste, followed by rich caramel and with notes of fresh sliced green pepper.
Aged in rum casks that once held some of the finest rums of the Caribbean, each drop of Dewars’s 8- Year-Old Caribbean Smooth has distinct notes of brown sugar, creamy caramel and bright tropical fruits, bringing a taste of sunshine to every sip.
Inspired by this unique approach and flavour notes behind the award-winning 1 Caribbean Rum and Mexican Mezcal finishes of Dewars’s new Special Cask Series, the Burger & ’Ball pairing menu will include:
Dewar’s Ilegal Smooth Highball and Truffle London classic burger
The Dewar’s Ilegal Smooth highball pairs the smoky notes of the whisky with aromatic Sumac and cloves and contrasting floral notes of St-Germain Elderflower liqueur. The highball is elevated by Truffle London’s classic beef & smoked bacon patty in a brioche bun, topped with sweet fig jam, crispy onions, gooey raclette cheese and smothered in their favourite truffle mayonnaise and paired together to bring out the smoky and earthy notes of both the burger and the highball.
Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth Highball and Truffle London Chicken whisky BBQ burger
Dewar’s Caribbean Smooth highball draws out the sweet caramel notes of the whisky, using floral Rosehip and spicy Pink Peppercorn with a touch of Sea Salt to marry perfectly with the buttermilk fried chicken burger, glazed in a sticky truffle whisky BBQ glaze and topped with a sour white slaw and pickle relish.
Alternatively, if curious tastemakers can’t make it to the pop up, they can also enjoy a range of Caribbean Smooth or Ilegal Smooth cocktails at bars across the country including; Milroy’s of Soho, Satan’s Whiskers, and Vinegar Yard in London and Scottish bars Kelvingrove Café and The Gate; with further bar partners to be announced in September.
Dewars’s was built on innovation, including its unique ‘double-aged’ for extra-smoothness process, pioneered in 1881 and, amongst its many inventions, trademarked the ‘High Ball’ in 1902 as a refreshing way to enjoy their delicious Scotch whisky, which remains one of their signature serves to this day.
With curiosity driving all that they do, a new partnership has been forged with Mark Low, who is no stranger to pushing boundaries in his role as creative lead at Mr Lyan Studio, the creative agency and drinks consultancy of the Mr Lyan family (incl. London’s Lyaness bar (previously World’s 50 Best Bars 2018 winner Dandelyan), US-based Silver Lyan, Amsterdam’s Super Lyan). Mark Low utilised his eight years experience in the industry to develop a cocktail collection which showcases the versatility and flavour of the new Dewars’s Cask Finish Series. This is the first in a series of projects with creative partners collaborating and consulting on the Dewars’s range.
The Dewars’s Burger & ‘Ball experience will run for a limited time only from 20th to 21st August at Truffle London, from 12 midday-11pm on Friday and from 5pm-11pm on Saturday with prices starting at £10 for one Burger & ‘Ball pairing.
Dewars’s Caribbean Smooth and DEWAR’s Ilegal Smooth will launch in bars across London and Scotland from August.
