The Golden Valley Cocktail: Mixing with luxury aged malts

Paolo Maffietti from Maybe Sammy has created ‘The Golden Valley’, featuring Glenfiddich’s latest release, Grand Cru

Proving you can use top shelf single malt in cocktails, Paolo Maffietti from Maybe Sammy has created ‘The Golden Valley’, featuring Glenfiddich’s latest release, Grand Cru. An exclusive expression matured for 23 years and elegantly finished in rare French cuvée oak casks, Grand Cru reimagines celebrations…. and what better place to celebrate than sitting at the Maybe Sammy bar and enjoying a fine (and fun) cocktail.

“We wanted to show that you can use a luxury aged malt in cocktails. With Grand Cru it’s about maintaining the incredible flavour of the whisky by very carefully selecting the ingredients that surround it,” said Paolo.

Through the art of experimentation, Glenfiddich has created a remarkably rich whisky, already intense in flavour thanks to long maturation in American and European oak cask, it is finely finessed with influences from French cuvée casks. Every drop of Grand Cru is the result of up to six months marrying time, adding new layers of luxury with a myriad of aromas from apple blossom to candied lemon and freshly baked bread. On the palate, rich vanilla, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape build a beautiful harmony of flavours; enhanced by a long, opulent finish. To best showcase the whisky, Paolo opted for a generous 50ml measure.

“We wanted to show that you can use a luxury aged malt in cocktails. With Grand Cru it’s about maintaining the incredible flavour of the whisky by very carefully selecting the ingredients that surround it,” said Paolo.

To add a little spice and fortified wine notes to the cocktail, Cocchi Americano was selected, however it is the addition of the Vetiver Gris that highlights how important careful selection of ingredients is when working with a luxury single malt. Unsual, with an incredible taste and aromatics, Vetiver is not commonly seen, but is used a lot in perfumes such as Paco Rabanne and Dior. You may think you don’t know it, but it surprises and delights as you sip your cocktail, as it has a familiar and intriguing aroma – you have definitely smelt it somewhere before. The use of frankincense heightens the oakiness of the whisky with a citrus zest from the addition of the mandarin in the syrup.
Paolo favoured a minimalist but stylish garnish with the Maybe Sammy golden oil, thus giving this fun and sophistated cocktail its moniker whilst paying homage to Glenfiddich, which means ‘Valley of the Deer’.

This celebratory cocktail is served in a specially selected Kimura glass from Japan, which adds a real ‘wow factor’ sitting on the bar – tall, elegant and eye catching.

Working with Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador, Ross Blainey, the team have created the ultimate nod to luxury, celebrations, single malt and the Maybe Sammy flamingo. The first 100 people to order the The Golden Valley will have the cocktail served with a limited edition Glenfiddich Grand Cru x Maybe Sammy Golden Flamingo. Once you have your flamingo, each time you return to Maybe Sammy and order a Glenfiddich Grand Cru you will receive a complimentary half dozen oysters or glass of champagne to help celebrate the occasion.

The Golden Valley Cocktail

Ingredients:
50ml Glenfiddich Grand Cru Single Malt
30ml cocchi americano
10ml Muyu Vetiver Gris
5ml mandarin peel and frankincense syrup
Garnish with 2 drops Maybe Sammy aromatic golden oil

Method:
Add all ingredients to the mixing glass and chill 
as much as possible while giving it a little dilution
Serve straight up in a Kimura glass
Garnish with 2 drops of aromatic golden oil.

Glenfiddich Grand Cru Tasting notes

Colour – Dark gold.
Nose – An intense aroma of apple blossom, freshly baked bread and candied lemon.
Taste – Layers of rich vanilla oak, sweet brioche, sandalwood, pear sorbet and white grape.
Finish – Long, opulent and sweet.

For more information on the release of the Glenfiddich Grand Cru, reach out to your William Grant & Sons rep.