The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

bitedrinks In collaboration with TUSK, a leading conserva- tion charity established in 1990 in response to the poaching crisis of the 1980s, Young Spirits, a bou- tique bottling and spirits brand, have launched their first single cask drink called Uhuru, which means ‘freedom’ in Swahili. TUSK is a highly effective and efficient force in African wildlife conservation, so the elephant’s image on the single cask bottle was befitting for the partnership, with every single cask unique and limited to 250 bottles. The artistic sketch on the bottle was drawn by Paul Petroianu, a Roma- nian artist, who is described as bringing the spirit and essence of the African elephant alive. Established in 2019 by co-founders John Ferguson and Alex Harrison, Young Spirits provides bottling services with short lead times to meet the growing craft spirits market’s demand. They strive to help the planet through progressive, sustainable business practices and partner with reputable charities. Having spent many summers in Africa, particularly Kenya, growing up, John became besotted by the elephants, which led him to help fundraising projects support orphanages and wildlife conservations. The 10-year-old blended malt Scotch Whisky was chosen for its perfect balance of sweetness versus smoke. Young Spirits revealed that it is the first whisky to analyse sweetness identified through a rev- olutionary process with 019 SPPM (Sweet Parts Per Million). The micro maturation begins with the filling process into Hudson baby bourbon casks to enable intense rapid development. It is then transferred into virgin, 1st fill casks to create beautiful colour and flavour. Produced at the Ailsa Bay Distillery (part of the William Grant & Sons distillery portfolio) near Girvan in Scotland, Uhuru is the ideal introduction for newcomers to the malt spirit. Its enticing fra- grance of light smoke and cinnamon, entwined with caramelised almonds, create a gentle, soft honeyed experience on the palate. To make your experience of Uhuru Scotch Whisky more adventurous, award-winning cocktail guru Iain McPherson of Panda & Sons has created the safa- ri-themed Uhuru Campfire Old Fashioned and the sunset-inspired Tuskan Fizz. The first cocktail has a blend of ingredients that allow you to ignite your own safari campfire in the comfort of your home. Young Spirits says it is perfect for impressing your friends at your Christmassy Zoom bash with smokey theat- ricals, so one for the festive season this year. The main ingredients consist of 50 ml Uhuru Scotch Whisky, 10 ml chai syrup, two dashes of Angostura Bitters, two cloves, 1/2 a cinnamon stick, and dark chocolate garnish. The chai syrup is made with 250 ml of boiling water and four chai teabags which are left to steep for five minutes. Take the teabags out, add 250 g of caster sugar, and stir until it dissolves in the chai tea water. If you decide to refrigerate the syrup, it will keep for around two weeks. To make the cocktail, add ice to the tumbler glass along with Uhuru ScotchWhisky, chai syrup, and two dashes of Angostura Bitter. Stir together until it’s per- fectly diluted and cold. Create the smoke either using a smoking gun and chamber to smoke the clove and cinnamon around the cocktail. Alternatively, burn the cloves and cinnamon in a small mug next to the cock- tail. Cover this with a large glass bowl to allow the smoke to build. Add a piece of dark chocolate on top of the cocktail or in a small dish to the side. Tuskan Fizz is a simple, two-step recipe with enticing sweet and tangy flavours to quench your taste buds. The beaming sunsets of Africa inspire the cocktail’s colours with a refreshing twist on the typically recom- mended serve for whisky. Pour 50 ml of Uhuru Scotch Whisky and 50 ml of Bon Accord Drink’s Cream Soda into a tall glass and fill with cubed ice right to the top. Garnish with a wedge of pink grapefruit but make sure you squeeze the fruit into the tall glass before dropping it in. Serve and drink. Young Spirits’ 70 cl Uhuru Scotch Whisky contains 55% ABV and can be purchased at their online shop. Ten percent of Uhuru’s net sales are donated to the TUSK charity. www.14serves.co.uk Images courtesy of Young Spirits