Angels' Nectar toasts shortlist success again

The Rich Peat Edition of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, from Grantown-on-Spey based Highfern Ltd, has been shortlisted in the 2016 Highland and Islands Food and Drink Awards, for the Best Drink Award.

The Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards are now in their 12^th year and celebrate the best of food and drink from across the Highlands and Islands and the Cairngorms National Park.

Speaking as he received the good news about their shortlist success, Highfern founder Robert Ransom said: “To be shortlisted for the second year running is a fantastic endorsement from the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards for our fledgling whisky business. Indicative of the interest in our new Rich Peat Edition of Angels’ Nectar, amongst others we have shipped export orders to the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea and Sweden.’

Inspired by the Angels' share, the traditional name given to the whisky lost to evaporation during the maturation of Scotch Whisky, the Rich Peat Edition of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been created from a selection of Highland malt whiskies, and oozes a welcoming peat smoke, with hints of toffee apple and dark chocolate. With its innovative ‘Angels within Angel’ graphic design (which won the 2015 Scottish Creative Award for Illustration), Angels’ Nectar presents a much-loved story from whisky folklore in a contemporary fashion. 

Judging for the awards took place at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness with a panel of judges examining and tasting the entries. The judges included representatives from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scotland Food & Drink, and the current Ambassadors of the Year, Jill and Callum Clark of Connage Highland Dairy.

The winners will be announced on Friday 21st of October at a glittering awards ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel, hosted by comedian and broadcaster, Fred MacAulay. 

Thank you to the Angels

November 2015 marks a year since our first bottling of Angels’ Nectar, so naturally it’s a time of reflection on our journey so far. Setting up a new business and launching Angels’ Nectar has been an exciting and rewarding roller coaster. Yes, not everything has gone according to the business plan written in the long dark winter evenings of 2014, but there have been plenty of highs, some quite unexpected.

Where are we now? Angels’ Nectar is now available from more than thirty stores across the UK and in five European markets. Our label won the Scottish Creative Award for Illustration, and Angels’ Nectar was a finalist in two categories in the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards, and a finalist in the Scottish Field Whisky Merchants Challenge. This wouldn’t have been possible without the help, support and advice of many people, our very own ‘Angels’. You know who you are, crunching spreadsheets, helping with cask samples, working magic with EMCS, reacting positively to more crazy ideas, and generally getting behind our fledgling whisky brand.

The list of people to thank is a long one, but amongst others our Angels include our illustrator Brett (check out his reflections on the project here), Craig at The Green Welly Stop, our first ever stockist, Paul and Edgar, who took Angels’ Nectar to the Netherlands (how many other Scotch Whiskies have their own Dutch website?). Nadine, Jean-Marc and Olivier, our new Belgian friends and of course the guys at Old Worthy Brewing Co. for the genius that is The De’ils Awa’. Last but not least are all those who have indulged in a dram of Angels’ Nectar, without whom this would have all been in vane. We raise our glass to you.

Thank you. #YouAreAnAngel

Robert

Dutch Angels

Angels’ Nectar toasts shortlist success

Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been shortlisted in two categories in the Highland and Islands Food and Drink Awards, for the New Product Award and Best Drink Award.

Highfern’s entry was among a record-breaking 100 entries to this year’s awards.  The Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards are now in their 11^th year and include 13 categories ranging from the Young Shining Star and Restaurant of the Year to Export and Healthier Food & Drink. Speaking as he received the good news about their shortlist success, Highfern founder Robert Ransom said:

“We launched Angels’ Nectar just seven months ago, so to be shortlisted for two awards at this stage is fantastic news, and comes in the same week as we dispatched our first order to Belgium”.

Inspired by the Angels' share, the traditional name given to the evaporation during the maturation of Scotch Whisky, the First Edition of Angels’ Nectar Blended Malt Scotch Whisky has been created from a selection of Speyside and Highland malt whiskies, and is smooth and sweet with hints of heather honey and lemon on the taste.

Judging for the awards took place last week at The Storehouse of Foulis with a panel of thirteen judges examining the entries and tasting produce from across the Highlands and Islands and Cairngorms National Park.

With 2015 marked across Scotland as the Year of Food and Drink, this year’s awards look set to be higher profile than ever before.  The winners will be announced on Friday 23^rd October at a glittering awards ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.   The host for the night is comedian and broadcaster, Fred MacAulay who is returning for a third year by popular demand.

For full details of the Highland and Islands Food and Drink Awards, please see www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com