We’re partial to a wee dram here at Ross and Ross, and so are our customers, judging by the popularity of our whisky bar! We’ll be celebrating World Whisky Day on 18 May 2019.
Forget prosecco and pass on gin, whisky is the hot alcoholic drink right now and a regular staple on our event bars. World Whisky Day 2019 is a celebration of our new found favourite spirit. Whisky used to suffer from a bit of an image problem. It was seen as the preserve of aficionados and older men, and definitely not something that trendy young things ordered on a night out. But World Whisky Day aims to make the water of life accessible to everyone, and you CAN drink it any way you like – straight, on the rocks or with a mixer. All you need is a bottle of whisky to enjoy with your friends, or perhaps to try our Whisky Bar!
If you’re new to whisky and worried about it being overpowering, you’re not alone. Lots of people are yet to have a taste of this versatile and varied spirit because they’re just not sure how to drink it. Whisky brings subtle flavours and spice to cocktails and long drinks as well, making the perfect introduction to this popular drink.
Ross and Ross and The Cotswold Distillery
If you’re hiring the Ross and Ross Bar for your event, we’re happy to stock it with whatever you fancy. But when people ask us for whisky recommendations, we point them in the direction of The Cotswold Distillery, where we source our spirits. They’ve been making and blending their delicious spirits in Shipston Upon Stour since 2014 and have gained a reputation for producing exquisite artisan tipples. All of the barley for their whiskies is sourced from within the Cotswolds and is taken to the maltings at Warminster, Britain’s oldest working maltings. Using centuries-old techniques, the maltmen steep the barley, before turning it on the malting floors by hand for several days. They then kiln dry the malt and then return it to the distillery for milling and mashing.
After distillation, the spirit is casked for at least three years and a day before being bottled and enjoyed by their growing number of fans in the Cotswolds and beyond.
Whisky at the Ross and Ross Bar
Whisky is a consistent feature on our event bars. We tailor the line up to our clients, whether they’re looking for a special single malt to savour or in search of a trendy bourbon cocktail to tantalise the taste buds. Find out more about our personalised bar service.
When Simi and Mark tied the knot at the Bodleian Library in 2018, the groom put together a tasting selection of his favourite whisky for the bar. He even included tasting notes! Why not raise a glass of one of Mark’s favourites on World Whisky Day?
Cotswolds Single Malt
English whisky? Surprisingly good and surprisingly complex for only four years in the cask! Craft made, less than an hour from Oxford.
Indian Single Malt: Paul John Brilliance
Made in Goa, India with barley from the Himalayan foothills. Honey, barley, cinnamon, spice.
Single Malt Scotch – Speyside Region: Tomintoul 16 Years Old
Known as the gentle dram. Soft and nutty vanilla, pear, apple, custard.
Single Malt Scotch – Islands Region: Arran 14 Years Old
A unique single malt from the Isle of Arran. Like a crisp, fruity white wine with pineapple, banana, honey, grapes, iodine.
Single Malt Scotch – Islay Region: Bunnahabhain 12 Years Old
A very different Islay whisky – Not peaty like others from the island. Unique, complex and rich Toffee apple, sea spray, distant bonfire smoke, oak, dried fruits, Christmas spice.
Peated Single Malt Scotch – Islay Region: Lagavulin 16 Years Old
Exceptionally peaty and exceptionally good. Not for the faint-hearted! Pungent, smoky, sweet andy savoury: Coal fire, iodine, malt, oak.
Blended Scotch: Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Premium 21-year-old blended Scotch and the rarest of the Johnnie Walker blends – only one in ten thousand casks makes the grade. Smooth, mellow and rounded with honey, hazelnuts, sherry, smoke, dark chocolate.