Posts by Peter Ranscombe
How Scotch helped Belvedere enhance vodka’s flavour
Vodka brand Belvedere took a leaf from whisky’s book to create its latest drink. Peter Ranscombe finds out why. VODKA is – if I’m feeling generous – a blank canvas on which bartenders can paint exciting pictures through cocktails. At its best, it’s neutral and unobtrusive; at its worst, it’s just plain boring. You can…
Read MoreDundee cleaner wants to ‘clean up’ industry’s image
A CLEANER from Dundee is on a mission to “clean up” her industry’s reputation. Kelly Fairweather, owner and founder of At Your Service, has been appointed as associate director of the Domestic Cleaning Business Network (DCBN), a trade association formed late last year to provide advice and resources to domestic cleaning companies across the UK.…
Read MoreFirst whisky from organic distillery
ORGANIC distillery Nc’nean launches its maiden whisky this morning, becoming the first British spirit to be sold in recycled clear glass bottles. The distillery, which is located on the Morvern peninsula, is powered by renewable energy. Nc’nean’s single malt was made using organic Scottish barley and was aged for three years in a mix of…
Read MoreWINE TO DINE – OCTOBER 2020 – AL FRESCO
Scottish Field wine columnist Peter Ranscombe picks five luxurious wines for al fresco dining. IT WAS really exciting to see al fresco dining returning as the theme for the food feature in the luxury issue of Scottish Field. As we’ve explored before, outdoor dining requires wines with plenty of character and flavour. And, with this…
Read MoreWine and dessert matching with SprEHd and Vino
Having indulged in SprEHd’s cheese and charcuterie grazing box, Peter Ranscombe turns his attention to its sweet incarnation. PERHAPS the only drawback of the current format for the food feature in the printed Scottish Field magazine is that chefs are recommending fewer recipes for desserts. While it’s exciting to have a different “star ingredient” each…
Read MoreFizz Feast organiser unveils ‘Fizz Friday’ online tastings
THE annual Fizz Feast wine and food festival may not be taking place in Edinburgh this autumn but organiser Diana Thompson has created an online “bonanza of bubbles” to take its place. Thompson, who runs Wine Events Scotland, has organised five “Fizz Friday” tastings on video conferencing platform Zoom. They begin on 30 October and…
Read MoreA Week in Whisky: Is this the ultimate prize for a Scotch fan?
MEMBERS of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have the chance to win an entire cask of whisky from Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh. It’s the first time the society has given away an entire barrel from one of its partner distilleries. The prize is worth around £10,000 and includes duty and ageing for 10 years.…
Read MoreAuctioneer hails Balcarres House sale
AUCTION house Lyon & Turnbull has hailed its “Five Centuries” auction is Edinburgh as a “hugely successful”. The auction included lots from Balcarres House in Fife, home of the Earls of Crawford & Balcarres since 1595. A total of 206 lots from the house went under the hammer. Lord Balniel, heir apparent to the 29th…
Read MoreFight looms against European lead shot rules
A SHOOTING group has pledged to fight against European Union (EU) plans to retrict the use of lead shot over wetlands and peatlands. The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) warned that the EU proposals could get in the way of the UK’s existing five-year voluntary transition to sustainable ammunition if the UK Government…
Read MoreBenriach relaunch: Rachel Barrie makes her mark
Peter Ranscombe tastes his way through Benriach distillery’s new range, which was launched online today. I’LL always have a soft spot for Benriach. It was one of the first whiskies that I got to know when I was cutting my teeth as a reporter at The Scotsman newspaper. I remember meeting its then owner, Billy…
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