The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has teamed up with cult Edinburgh gelateria Joelato to create an experimental sorbet inspired by the Society’s fiery new spirit drink, Exp.01, as part of the maverick whisky club’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations.
The chilli-infused spirit drink is an unorthodox, limited edition bottling and forms the base of a unique cocktail-inspired sorbet, Pink Grapefruit Derby, which gelato wizard Joe Sykes magicked up after experimenting with flavours at the gelateria’s test kitchens in Perthshire.
The delectable iced creation, with its accompanying notes of black pepper, pink grapefruit and fresh mint, had its first public outing at The Vaults in Leith, the Society’s spiritual home and quickly proved a sell-out sensation with ice cream aficionados at Joelato’s Bonnie & Wild branch in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter this summer.
Exp.01 was created with the addition of around 100 Scotch bonnet chilli peppers to a cask of 10 year old single malt whisky, which was then left to infuse for 17 years. The result of this bold experiment packs a peppery punch, with a sweet paprika flavour profile and a smooth finish. At 55.6% abv and bottled in 10cl hot-sauce sized miniatures, it is made for the most spirited adventurers among us to sip, mix, and cook with.
Plans are afoot for Joelato to whip up another batch of their punchy Pink Grapefruit Derby sorbet to serve up to Scotch Malt Whisky Society members late next month at The Vaults, as part of The Gathering – a feast of celebrations to mark four decades since its inception.
The sorbet invention is one of many unique collaborations and creations taking place to mark the 40th anniversary, as the Society approaches 40,000 members across the globe. This unconventional approach is inspired by the maverick attitude of Pip Hills, the founder of SMWS.
Joelato’s lively sorbet creation is a really exciting new way for people to explore one of the Society’s more experimental bottlings. At SMWS we are passionate about promoting new ideas and collaborating to create unique sensory experiences for adventurous whisky and spirit lovers seeking something unconventional.
– Helen Stewart: SMWS Head of Brand Marketing & Membership
We were delighted to partner with The Scotch Whisky Society on the launch of Exp.01. Exp.01 is downright delicious, and the complexity and spice of the spirit lends itself wonderfully to a punchy, citrus sorbet, which our Pink Grapefruit Derby certainly is. We couldn’t be happier with the result.
At Joelato we’re big fans of basing gelato and sorbets on cocktails, but it can be a challenge to do justice to a wonderful cocktail in frozen form. For starters, too much alcohol and the gelato won’t freeze. With that in mind, we aim to recreate the authentic flavour and depth of a Margarita, for example, with a little less of the alcoholic punch.
– Joe Sykes: founder of cult Edinburgh gelateria Joelato
Joelato was founded in May 2019 by Joe Sykes and his wife Lucie, with its branch in the Bonnie & Wild Food Hall within the Edinburgh St James Quarter joined by a stand-alone store in North West Circus Place, Stockbridge at the end of 2022.
Their handmade gelatos and sorbets are made from only the best natural ingredients, using traditional techniques. Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible, and everything is made in-house.
About The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS)
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was established in Edinburgh in 1983 and has 37,000 members around the world.
• It is owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc
• The SMWS bottles rare single cask and single malt whisky, exclusive blends and a range of other Single Cask Spirits.
• The Society has bottled whisky from 180 distilleries from Scotland and beyond
• The Society offers a new batch of around 20 different single malt whiskies every month
• Members have access to four exclusive SMWS Members’ Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London along with a global network of 100 partner bars.
• The Society offers a variety of membership options that can be tailored.
• For more information about the Society, visit: https://smws.com/, Twitter: @SMWSUK Facebook: @thesmwsuk Instagram: @smws_uk
About The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC)
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is based in Edinburgh
• The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) plc is building a portfolio of premium brands that bring together some of the world’s best spirits producers with a growing movement of discerning consumers by curating unrivalled collections of craft spirits.
• ASC owns The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) and in 2021 it launched J.G. Thomson & Co. Inspired by its namesake, which was originally a wine and spirits merchant in Leith, Scotland, in the 1700s, J.G. Thomson is a new, adventurous blender, creating small batch blended malt whiskies, blended grain whiskies, rum and gin.