The end of summer is near, and we are reflecting back on our highlights! One of our favourite experience this summer was the unique opportunity we had to join Appleton Estate in the special surroundings of the Fairmont Banff Springs. Bringing two iconic brands together. We got to indulge in the luxury of our surroundings whilst sipping on some delicious cocktails. Not to mention learning from Master Blender Dr Joy Spence, a force in the spirits industry. If you are looking for the perfect blend to pick up this holiday weekend, read on!
A Celebration of Craftsmanship and Innovation
The experience kicked off with the introduction of Appleton Estates proudly announcing the launch of their latest masterpiece: the limited edition 8 Year Old Double Cask. This release represents a historic moment for the Jamaican distillery, marking its first foray into cask finish rum, meticulously crafted under the expert guidance of Master Blender Dr. Joy Spence.
Photo by CHRIS BOLIN / Hill & Knowlton
We had the honour of sitting next to Dr. Joy Spence, a trailblazer in the spirits industry over dinner and cocktails. She was a delight. A woman celebrated for her unparalleled blending expertise who spoke just as passionately about her storied career as she did her grandson. She shared that the 8 Year Old Double Cask is a testament to her passion for both Jamaican rum and Speyside single malts. The blend combines rums aged for a minimum of eight tropical years and finished in hand-picked 18 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Whisky casks.
“This limited edition release exemplifies our dedication to craftsmanship and innovation,” remarked Dr. Joy Spence. “It’s a blend that showcases the pinnacle of Jamaican and Scottish expertise, crafted for enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry and complexity of fine spirits.”
Photo by CHRIS BOLIN / Hill & Knowlton
Up in the Sky
The launch celebration
didn’t stop there. The following day we were fortunate to have a one on one experience with Sam Clark, Mixologist at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. We had the perfect vantage point for an afternoon of cocktails at Sky Bistro. The Nitro Colada he crafted was next level unique! It included Appleton Estate 8-Year-Old Double Cask, Acid adjusted pineapple and kabosu juices, Coconut pouchong tea, Cane sugar and clarified smoked mango yogurt. YUM.
The deliciousness continued as we were treated to lunch by Executive Chef of Sky Bistro, Claudius Wolf. The perfect afternoon up in the sky!
Two Iconic Brands in One Unique Experience
Our backdrop of The Fairmont Banff Springs couldn’t have been more fitting for this experience. Established in 1888, it is often referred to as the “Castle in the Rockies” and a icon in its own right in the heart of Banff National Park, Alberta.
Enjoy at Home
Sadly, we had to return home from Banff, but the flavors of the trip will remain with us.
The Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Double Cask is available exclusively in Canada, with 13,000 bottles on shelves across Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Each bottle is a collector’s item, meticulously designed to reflect the heritage and premium quality synonymous with Appleton Estate.
For those eager to savor this exceptional rum, we recommend enjoying it neat or as a fun cocktail experience. Our favourite was the Obair Fashioned. Looking for something to sip on this weekend? Shopping list ingredients listed below!
Obair Fashioned Cocktail
2 oz of Appleton Estate 8 -Year-Old Double Cask
0.25 oz of Brown Sugar Syrup*
3 dashes of Orange Bitters
*Add 1 part fine brown sugar to 1-part hot water, stir and chill.
Stir, serve on the rocks with an orange twist.
