Jennifer, do you use Red Rye Finish differently to other scotch whiskies?
J: Red Rye Finish has a very distinct aromatic profile: very woody with spices and fruity notes. I prefer to use it in short, concentrated cocktails without too many ingredients. This shows the powerful flavour of Red Rye Finish and demonstrates the blend’s versatility.
Emma, when you were creating Red Rye Finish, did you have any particular cocktails in mind?
E: As our goal with Red Rye Finish was to create something from the bar back, we constantly thought about how bartenders could use this blend. We wanted to produce something that would taste incredible neat, with ice and soda, while also delivering something special in classic cocktails like the Manhattan. We were hugely excited by the idea of creating a world class blend and putting it in the hands of bartenders and drinks enthusiasts to see what they could create.
Jennifer, what was your most recent experiment with Red Rye Finish?
J: I mixed it with Amontillado sherry, a touch of fig cordial, few dashes of Spanish bitter and orange bitter, served on a single ice cube. The woodiness of Red Rye Finish went really well with the Amontillado. The experiment tasted like foie gras (I‘m French after all!) while also emphasising the fruit flavours.
Emma, how do those flavours come out in different cocktails?
E: I had the opportunity to take Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Red Rye Finish to
New York to put it in front of some of the leading mixologists in the world. It was a wonderful (and slightly daunting) experience and it brought to life the possibilities
that exist with this blend. For example:
The Red Rye Manhattan is a new twist on a classic. You will get a real creaminess -
the cask notes and spicy flavours shine through in this cocktail making it beautifully refreshing.
As Red Rye Finish is smooth, sweet and spicy but also has those vibrant, smoky flavours associated with Johnnie Walker Red Label, it is a perfect partner for Ginger Ale – Red Rye Finish and Ginger has an incredibly refreshing taste and is a must try.
Another twist on a classic is the Red Rye Finish Old Fashioned. You get beautiful orange notes which work well with the vibrancy and spice of the blend.
Jennifer, what are the most popular serves involving Red Rye Finish?
J: We have a few really popular serves with Red Rye Finish at the moment. There‘s Red Rye Old Fashioned and the Boulevardier.