The Winter Queen whisky honours remarkable legacy of Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI and I and Queen Anne of Denmark.
Latest release from innovative Fusion Whisky and Adelphi partnership that celebrates historical Scots and their influence on the world.  First blend of Scotch and Dutch whisky from firm that pioneered ‘fusion’ concept of international blends using Scotch with Japanese and Indian whiskies.

SHE was the Scottish princess with Queen Elizabeth I for godmother, destined for a lifetime of exile in The Hague, and is the forgotten link between the Stuart and Hanoverian thrones.

Now the legacy of Elizabeth Stuart, eldest daughter of King James VI and I, is being honoured by a unique new whisky made from a pioneering blend of Scotch and Dutch single malt whisky.

Edinburgh-based Fusion Whisky said its new Winter Queen whisky “celebrated the story and honoured the memory” of Elizabeth Stuart, who was born in Fife in 1596, but spent most of life in The Hague.

Fusion Whisky Director Graham Langley said: “Elizabeth’s story is a superb one, and certainly deserving of a wider audience. Our Winter Queen whisky serves to honour this forgotten Scottish princess and to bring greater awareness to her remarkable life and influence.”

As eldest daughter to King James VI and I and Queen Anne of Denmark, Elizabeth was always destined for a place in the history books. While still a child, she was caught up in the web of intrigue during the infamous Gunpowder Plot. At 16 she was married to Elector Palatine Frederick V and the couple moved to Bohemia, where they reigned. But after a year the couple were besieged and forced to flee Prague, earning the couple the moniker, the Winter King and Queen.

Elizabeth spent the next 40 years living in The Hague, campaigning for her lost lands and establishing a royal court that became an artistic and diplomatic hub whose influence extended across Europe. She also became a figurehead for the thousands of Scottish mercenaries based in the Netherlands.

Dr Nadine Akkerman of Leiden University is the leading authority on Elizabeth Stuart. She said: “More politically cunning than her grandmother, Mary, Queen of Scots, and more belligerent than her godmother, Elizabeth I, she never relinquished the title Queen of Bohemia, even though she spent upwards of forty years in exile in The Hague after but a year in Prague.”

Dr Akkerman said that the thousands of letters Elizabeth wrote to statesmen and stateswomen, generals, lieutenants, ambassadors and other diplomats, showed the complex, witty and influential character of Elizabeth, whom history has largely overlooked.

She added: “During her years in exile, she changed court culture in the Netherlands and was matriarch to a family that included artists, warriors, natural philosophers and one queen mother: George I was her grandson.

The Winter Queen is the third character-led blend of international whisky launched by Fusion Whisky. Working in partnership with the acclaimed Adelphi, Fusion Whisky has established itself as a pioneer of premium blends made using Scotch and international whisky to honour remarkable Scots.

Its iconic Glover whisky was made by blending Scotch with rare Hanyu whisky from Japan in celebration of Thomas Blake Glover, the so-called “Scottish samurai”. Glover, who is better known in his adopted Japan than in his homeland, played a critical role in the country’s industrialisation, and had a part in the foundation of Mitsubishi and Kirin Group. He was the first non-Japanese person to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan’s highest civic honour.

Last year the firm released The E&K whisky, which was made using Scotch and Indian whisky from Amrut Distillery in honour of the “Walking Viceroy”, Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin and 13th Earl of Kincardine. Bruce served as Viceroy of India under Queen Victoria in the late 19th century, and pushed for greater infrastructure and economic growth, including the construction of 4000 miles of railway during his term of office and linking all the major Indian cities for the first time, creating a railway network of more than 20,000 miles.

Fusion Whisky’s latest title, The Winter Queen, was made using Scotch from Longmorn and Glenrothes distilleries, blended with malt whisky from the renowned Dutch Distillery Zuidam. The recipe was created by Adelphi’s managing director and master blender Alex Bruce.

Adelphi Distillery’s Winter Queen whisky. Edinburgh. 13 Feb 2018. Copyright photo by Tina Norris 07775 593 830 No unauthorised use including web use. ©Tina Norris 2018 Contact: 07775 593 830 info@tinanorris.co.uk

Mr Bruce said: “By taking whiskies matured in different climates, we have been able to create a very new and innovative style. Like the historical characters we honour, these whiskies are themselves pioneers, challenging expectations of what blended whisky is. Crucially, these whiskies are also products of international partnerships and friendships. We’re very proud of it!”

Due for release on 27 February 2018, The Essence of Suntory collection includes three brand new expressions from the Japanese whisky giant, now available for worldwide delivery from Japanese spirit specialists dekantā. Shoppers at dekantā will be among the first to own and experience these limited release whiskies, as the world’s largest e-commerce retailer for high end Japanese spirits is one of few, if not the only, online stores stocking the new The Essence of Suntory releases.

Cask strength, limited releases, of single malt and single grain whiskies, The Essence of Suntory expressions offer surprising takes on produce from favourite Japanese whisky distilleries. The branding of this bottle range has moved away from the iconic Suntory branding of their other single malt ranges, Yamazaki and Hakushu, in both shape, colour and labelling. With slim bottles and label designs showcasing modern Japanese art, they exemplify a fresh, adventurous new look for Suntory.

The Essence of Suntory Single Malt Yamazaki Peated Malt 2018 12 year old (500ml, 49% ABV) offers sweet berry notes and acidity joined by the influence of gentle smoke. The Essence of Suntory Single Grain Hakushu Rye Type 2018 (500ml, 57% ABV) is aged for 4 years, a surprising single grain, rye expression from Hakushu. The use of rye brings a rich, deep spice to pair with the green, fruity Hakushu character, offering a whisky with great balance. The Essence of Suntory Single Grain Chita Wine Cask 4 year Finish 2018 (500ml, 49% ABV) is a rare 16 year old single grain whisky, which has spent 4 years finishing in a wine cask, resulting in plum-influenced sweet and sour notes on the palate, with a smooth mouthfeel and mellow aroma.

“We have always prided ourselves on being able to bring an authentic Japanese whisky and cultural experience to customers worldwide, that they would only otherwise find on a visit to Japan,” said Founder Makiyo Masa. “We’re delighted to offer these extremely exclusive limited release bottles to fans of Japanese whisky worldwide and congratulate Suntory on their creativity, which has brought such exciting diversity to their offering of Japanese whiskies.”

The Essence of Suntory Whisky – Yamazaki Peated Malt 2018, The Essence of Suntory Whisky Hakushu Rye Type 2018 and The Essence of Suntory Whisky – Chita Wine Cask 4 Year Finish 2018 are available for pre-order from the dekantā website, with worldwide shipping beginning in March. Quantities are limited and the bottles are expected to sell out quickly.