It was with delight that the Whisky Boys received an invitation from Tim Harfield to attend a launch at Courageous Spirits. This event was especially attractive as it was a Whisky launch in my hometown of Glasgow. It felt even more familiar when I realised the venue was in Lancefield Street which is also the same street that is home to Scotch Whisky Auctions.
The event was to launch King’s Inch 8 year old single malt.
This 8 year old is sweet on the nose with cinder toffee, fresh and easy on the nose. Tasting neat, smooth and mellow, light spices, Christmas cake with almonds, with only a tear drop of water it opens up to be an elegant smooth dram. the finish is long with the dried fruit and the spices linger longest. A delightful dram and The Whisky Boys are sure to have this in their tasting cabinet
I was very fortunate as my wife had graciously offered to drive on this occasion allowing me to sample a few of the drams and cocktails. As my wife is a gin drinker you can imagine her look when she discovered a selection of gins on offer. Glaswegin Premium London Dry Gin, Glaswegin Raspberry and Rhubarb Gin and a Glaswegin Tequila Cask Gin.
On arrival we were escorted into a modern warehouse where there were three separate bar areas showcasing various products produced by Courageous Spirits. The first dram I sampled was King’s Inch, unaged single malt to which I just added a teardrop of water. I found this to be a delicious dram, very easy on the palate with vanilla, coconut, cinder toffee and a hint of mild spices.
My second go to spirit, especially in the summer, would be gin and I was pleased to see that Glaswegin and McQueen Gin are in the Courageous Spirits family.
I decided to try one of the gin & tonics using the Glaswegin Tequila Cask. I loved this juniper led gin with a nice citrus burst, ideal in a tall glass filled with ice and a splash of good quality tonic.
There was a selection of gin & tonics, Glaswegin London Dry, Glaswegin Raspberry & Rhubarb and Glaswegin Tequila cask (not only with tonic as ginger ale was also on offer), McQueens 5 Chillie plus cocktails of Glaswegin Negroni and my usual favourite an Old Fashioned, this was with King’s Inch single malt and a popcorn syrup and Angostura Bitters. I actually found the popcorn syrup overwhelming and undermined the Whisky. Needless to say there was a selection of soft drinks for the drivers.
There was a small address from one of the management team and we were advised that later this year Courageous Spirits was going to seek planning permission to convert Lancefield Street venue into a modern urban Whisky Distillery with a bar, restaurant and visitor experience. It is hoped that this will all be up and running by 2030. It will be great to have another Whisky Distillery in Glasgow and it is great to see commercial life coming back to an area of the city that has been a little forgotten about. Like many cities and towns the face of urban areas is changing and not always for the better.
It was a very pleasant way to spend one of the few summer evenings in Glasgow sipping a variety of well made cocktails and a delightful buffet supper was provided.
On departure I did gain a few brownie points with the driver as we were given goodie bags with samples of the gin sort namely a can of the ready mixed Glaswegin Raspberry and Rhubarb G & T, a miniature of the Glaswegin Premium Gin and McQueens Scottish Gin.
All in all, it was a very pleasant launch and I wish them well in their endeavours and (Mrs driver may have found a new gin with the Glaswegin Premium gin).
Thanks once again , Tim.
