10 minute read
Game of Thrones® Single Malt Whisky
Rarely does a television series capture the world’s imagination as Game of Thrones did over its eight year screening on HBO. In celebration of the much-anticipated finale of the iconic series, Diageo and HBO collaborated to release a limited-edition range of single malt scotch whiskies inspired by the show.
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The epic adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s series of fantasy novels was created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and made stars of nobodies and boosted tourism numbers to the exotic film locations of Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco and Spain. The series set viewing records. By series seven the average number of viewers per episode reached 32.8 million across all viewing platforms.
The story tells of the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It follows the alliances and conflicts between seven noble families and their plot to rule on the Iron Throne or be independent of it. This story arc is set against the greater threat of the shadowy White Walkers in the North, woken by a long coming winter. The Night’s Watch exists to defend the realm from this Army of the Dead.
Each of the eight rare single malts represents one of the seven great Houses of Westeros, and the Night’s Watch. Taking its cue from the beyond the Wall, Johnnie Walker also released a White Walker Scotch Whisky inspired by the Army of the Dead.
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE TULLY
The members of the House of Tully reside at the castle at Riverrun and they rule The Riverlands. The power of water flows through House Tully and this was the inspiration behind choosing Singleton of Glendullen Select. This whisky is produced on the banks of the River Fiddich where the flowing water is harnessed through a water wheel that powers the whole distillery. The label features the arched white trout, the House of Tully coat of arms. The family motto is Family, Duty, Honour. The most prominent Tully in the series was Catyln Tully, wife of Ned Stark and mother of Robb, Sansa, Arya and Bran Stark.
TASTING NOTES
Orange and clove open on the nose and on the palate is red berry compote and vanilla cheesecake with a pronounced cereal spice finish.
NED ALWAYS SAID THAT THE MAN WHO PASSES THE SENTENCE SHOULD SWING THE BLADE, THOUGH HE NEVER TOOK ANY JOY IN THE DUTY. BUT I WOULD, OH, YES. - CATYLN TULLY STARK
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE STARK
DALWHINNIE WINTER’S FROST
House Stark’s resilience, strength and ability to thrive under intense situations were shaped by the freezing conditions at home at Castle Winterfell. Dalwhinnie is renowned for being one of the highest distilleries in Scotland and is cold and remote, much like where the Starks reside. Extreme conditions are responsible for shaping the signature Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost honeyed sweetness and spicy warmth. This House and this Single Malt make for an iconic pairing. The label features the family symbol of the Dire Wolf, and their motto, ‘Winter is Coming.’ Most prominent Stark in the series? There were many, so this is debatable. Ned Stark was significant but was killed off in Series One. Arya was a fierce and determined character as was Sansa Stark.
TASTING NOTES
Honey and fresh fig develop on the palate followed by a delicious maltiness and rich fruit cake.
MY SKIN HAS TURNED TO PORCELAIN, TO IVORY, TO STEEL. – SANSA STARK
NOTHING ISN’T BETTER OR WORSE THAN ANYTHING. NOTHING IS JUST NOTHING. — ARYA STARK
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE TARGARYEN
CARDHU GOLD RESERVE
Fueled by the same fiery spirit as the fierce female leader, Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen, this single malt celebrates legendary women and their steadfast perseverance in the face of adversity. Two female distilling pioneers, Helen Cumming and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth, put the The Cardhu Distillery on the map during the 1800s at a time when the whisky industry was almost entirely male. Daenerys Targaryen was the last of the family and the Mother of Dragons. With the power of her dragons behind her, she conquered lands and freed slaves. The label features the Targaryen dragon.
TASTING NOTES
Baked apple with baking spices open on the first nosing then transforms on the palate into a rich caramel character with hints of clove, red apple and a gentle nuttiness.
YES ALL MEN MUST DIE BUT WE ARE NOT MEN. - DAENERYS TARGARYEN
I AM DAENERYS STORMBORN OF THE HOUSE TARGARYEN, OF THE BLOOD OF OLD VALYRIA. VALYRIAN IS MY MOTHER TONGUE. UNSULLIED! SLAY THE MASTERS, SLAY THE SOLDIERS, SLAY EVERY MAN WHO HOLDS A WHIP, BUT HARM NO CHILD. STRIKE THE CHAINS OFF EVERY SLAVE YOU SEE! - DAENERYS TARGARYEN
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE LANNISTER
LAGAVULIN 9 YEAR OLD
House Lannister of Casterly Rock is one of the most powerful, richest and oldest of the seven dynasties. Lagavulin is one of the most legendary single malt brands and crafted on the shores of Islay for more than 200 years. The creation of this exceptional single malt mirrors the meticulous calculation and tenacity employed by the Lannisters in their rise to conquer the Iron Throne. One can see Cersei Lannister high up in the Red Keep sipping Lagavulin 9 Year Old from her goblet while plotting to destroy her next enemy. The House Lannister heraldry features a golden lion on a crimson background featured on the label. The House motto is ‘Hear me Roar’. The most prominent Lannisters in the series were twins Cersie and Jamie Lannister and their brother, Tyrion Lannister.
TASTING NOTES
Characteristic Lagavulin sweet smoke explodes on the nose with a little more brine than other expressions. The palate opens with caramelized banana and heavy vanilla and burnt marshmallow which subside into salty caramel flavours.
WHEN YOU PLAY THE GAME OF THRONES YOU WIN OR YOU DIE – CERSEI LANNISTER
DEATH IS SO FINAL, YET LIFE IS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES — TYRION LANNISTER
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE GREYJOY
TALISKER SELECT RESERVE
House Greyjoy of Pyke rules the harsh, bleak and remote Iron Islands and worships the Drowned God. Talisker was a natural pair for House Greyjoy as this single malt is distilled on the shores of the Isle of Skye, one of the most remote and rugged areas of Scotland. The layered flavours and signature maritime characters are the result of its wave-battered shores. Intense and smoky, this single malt is also powerful, spicy and sweet. House Greyjoy’s symbol is a golden Kracken featured on the label. Their House motto is – we do not sow. They are also associated with the phrase – what is dead may never die – which relates to their faith in the Drowned God. The ruler of the House of Greyjoy rules from the Seastone Chair. The most prominent Greyjoy character in the series was Theon Greyjoy, ward of Ned Stark.
TASTING NOTES
Dry Sichuan peppery smoke and dark chocolate on the nose. On the palate the salted caramel with chili flakes explode into a smoky fruitcake spice and the finish is long and complex with a lasting character of leather.
YOU ARE MY QUEEN, I GO WHERE YOU COMMAND – THEON GREYJOY
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE BARATHEON
ROYAL LOCHNAGAR 12 YEAR OLD
It is the Royal lineage that the House Baratheon finds its common ground with the Royal Lochnager 12 Year Old. In the beginning it was Robert Baratheon from House of Baratheon of Storm’s End who conquered the Iron Thrown and rules the Seven Kingdoms after three centuries of Targaryen reign. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the distillery of Royal Lochnager in 1848 and were so impressed they granted it a Royal Warrant. This is the true taste of royalty, balanced and delicate and full of spice and best enjoyed neat. The Baratheon’s motto is ‘Ours is the Fuiry’ and the limited-edition Lochnager label features the black stag, the House’s sigil. The most prominent Baratheon characters in the series were Robert Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon and Gendry Baratheon.
TASTING NOTES
Light notes of oak and sweet liquorice that develops into a rich, creamy vanilla coffee and finishes with a mild nutmeg custard note.
OURS IS THE FURY. THESE ARE THE WORDS OF THE BLACK STAG OF BARATHEON; A BATTLE CRY ECHOED THROUGHOUT THE LAND IN REBELLION WHEN I, ROBERT BARATHEON, THE FIRST OF HIS NAME SEIZED THE IRON THRONE FROM THE MAD KING, AERYS TARGARYEN, ENDING A DYNASTY NEARLY THREE HUNDRED YEARS OLD . – ROBERT BARATHEON
YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LIKE? DEATH. THAT’S WHAT THEY ARE LIKE. – GENDRY BARATHEON TO ARYA STARK ON THE WHITE WALKERS
THE SEVEN KINGDOMS
HOUSE TYRELL
CLYNELISH RESERVE
House Tyrell of Highgarden rules over the Reach, the lush and fertile region of Westeros. Like the Reach, Clynelish is positioned among green pastures and rolling hills, with scenic views of the North Sea. This vibrant, golden Scotch is light and floral, like House Tyrell, it’s not to be underestimated with its underlying complex combination of Highland and maritime qualities. The Tyrell sigil is the gold rose on the pale green field and the House motto is ‘Growing Strong’.
Most prominent Tyrell characters in the series were Margeary Tyrell and her mother Olenna Tyrell played superbly by Diana Rigg with some of the best lines in the series. Here are a few.
TASTING NOTES
Bursting with fresh tropical fruits like papaya and mango that subsides into a creamy vanilla character. The finish is slightly maritime in quality with a delicate floral note.
GROWING STRONG. HA! THE DULLEST WORDS OF ANY HOUSE! – OLENNA TYRELL
ALL LANNISTERS ARE LIONS AND WHEN A TYRELL FARTS IT SMELLS LIKE A ROSE. – OLENNA TYRELL
I WAS TOLD YOU WERE DRUNK, IMPERTINENT AND THOROUGHLY DEBAUCHED. YOU CAN IMAGINE MY DISAPPOINTMENT AT FINDING NOTHING BUT A BROWBEATEN BOOKKEEPER – OLENNA TYRELL TO TYRION LANNISTER
YOU’VE LOST CERSEI. IT’S THE ONLY JOY I CAN FIND IN ALL THIS MISERY – OLENNA TYRELL
THE NIGHT’S WATCH
OBAN BAY RESERVE
The Oban distillery sits beneath the steep cliff that overlooks the bay in the frontier between the west Highlands and the Islands of Scotland, separating land and sea, just as Castle Black, home of The Night’s Watch, sits between Westeros and the lands beyond The Wall. The richness of this Scotch is balanced with a woody spicy dryness that The Night’s Watch could enjoy even on the coldest of nights. The most prominent character of the Night’s Watch was Jon Snow, bastard son of Ned Stark and Commander of the Night’s Watch.
“Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honour to the Night’s Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.”― - THE NIGHT’S WATCH OATH
TASTING NOTES
Rich notes of cherry pie and candied orange peel open up on the palate that drifts into a wonderful crème caramel and a wisp of charred oak.
THE MORE YOU GIVE A KING, THE MORE HE WANTS. WE ARE WALKING ON A BRIDGE OF ICE WITH AN ABYSS ON EITHER SIDE. PLEASING ONE KING IS DIFFICULT ENOUGH, PLEASING TWO IS HARDLY POSSIBLE — JON SNOW
THE LONG NIGHT IS COMING, AND THE DEAD COME WITH IT. NO CLAN CAN STOP THEM, THE FREE FOLK CAN’T STOP THEM, THE NIGHT’S WATCH CAN’T STOP THEM AND ALL THE SOUTHERN KINGS CAN’T STOP THEM. ONLY TOGETHER, ALL OF US, AND EVEN THEN IT MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH BUT AT LEAST WE’LL GIVE THE F---ERS A FIGHT — JON SNOW
