One of the UK’s best-loved cooks and broadcasters, Si King, has teamed up with cask whisky specialist Cask Trade to launch a new collection of limited-edition single malts, with profits supporting food banks in the North East of England. The range, called Cask & Crust, reflects King’s passion for both quality whisky and regional food culture.
Each of the three bottlings has been paired with exclusive new recipes from King’s popular PROPA! pie brand in Sunderland.
This collaboration isn’t simply a celebrity sticker on a bottle. Si King travelled north to the Cask Trade warehouse in Forres, sampling barrels first-hand with Director and Keeper of the Quaich, Colin Hampden-White. Together, they selected three distinctive single malts, chosen to enhance, and be enhanced by, food.
The range was launched at London’s Dram bar, with Si King recounting his whisky journey, even as his chefs served up the partnering pies. The Luxe Review was on hand to taste test the range…
Each of the three bottlings has been paired with exclusive new recipes from King’s popular PROPA! pie brand in Sunderland…
Whisky & food pairing inspiration
Benrinnes 2013 – 11 Years – Oloroso Quarter Cask, £49.99 This rich and comforting dram, chock full of dried fruit, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and warming spice, has been paired with a PROPA! Wild Mushroom & Blue Cheese Pie with whisky onion gravy. The inclusion of blue cheese proves particularly inspired, a perfect foil for this sherry-forward dram.
Ben Nevis 2010 – 15 Years – Refill Barrel, £59.99 Bright and energetic, this whisky offers fresh apple and grape must upfront, with vanilla running through the centre, and a grassy vibrancy on the finish. Si has paired this with a Steak, Whisky & Green Peppercorn Pie, and the result is a hearty feast.
Pulteney 2013 – 11 Years – Refill Barrel, £39.99 Fruity and lightly briny, this Pulteney conjures up baked apples, subtle spice, and a whisper of sea salt that keeps you reaching for another sip. It’s been paired with a PROPA! Chicken, Haggis & Whisky-Cured Bacon Pie, giving this coastal malt a complementary savoury twist.
I Si with my little Pie…
For King, the project goes beyond flavour, it’s about purpose: “Being able to hand-pick some unique drams with Cask Trade and use them in my PROPA! pies has been a real joy. Bringing the two together in support of Sunderland and Newcastle food banks has been an absolute privilege.”
Asked by Hampden-White if there were more pie and whisky combos to be made, Si King suggested smoky Islay whiskies would be a natural match – “I just need to work on my appreciation of peat,” he said.
Cask Trade’s role in the project has been equally hands-on, from cask selection through to label design with local creative partners, keeping the entire collaboration rooted in the region.
All three whiskies are bottled at 46% ABV and are available via Cask Trade’s online store. With prices ranging from £39.99 to £59.99, collectors and curious food-and-whisky fans are likely to snap them up quickly, all in a good cause.
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
The Luxe Review 
One of the UK’s best-loved cooks and broadcasters, Si King, has teamed up with cask whisky specialist Cask Trade to launch a new collection of limited-edition single malts, with profits supporting food banks in the North East of England. The range, called Cask & Crust, reflects King’s passion for both quality whisky and regional food culture.
Each of the three bottlings has been paired with exclusive new recipes from King’s popular PROPA! pie brand in Sunderland.
This collaboration isn’t simply a celebrity sticker on a bottle. Si King travelled north to the Cask Trade warehouse in Forres, sampling barrels first-hand with Director and Keeper of the Quaich, Colin Hampden-White. Together, they selected three distinctive single malts, chosen to enhance, and be enhanced by, food.
The range was launched at London’s Dram bar, with Si King recounting his whisky journey, even as his chefs served up the partnering pies. The Luxe Review was on hand to taste test the range…
Whisky & food pairing inspiration
Benrinnes 2013 – 11 Years – Oloroso Quarter Cask, £49.99
This rich and comforting dram, chock full of dried fruit, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and warming spice, has been paired with a PROPA! Wild Mushroom & Blue Cheese Pie with whisky onion gravy. The inclusion of blue cheese proves particularly inspired, a perfect foil for this sherry-forward dram.
Ben Nevis 2010 – 15 Years – Refill Barrel, £59.99
Bright and energetic, this whisky offers fresh apple and grape must upfront, with vanilla running through the centre, and a grassy vibrancy on the finish. Si has paired this with a Steak, Whisky & Green Peppercorn Pie, and the result is a hearty feast.
Pulteney 2013 – 11 Years – Refill Barrel, £39.99
Fruity and lightly briny, this Pulteney conjures up baked apples, subtle spice, and a whisper of sea salt that keeps you reaching for another sip. It’s been paired with a PROPA! Chicken, Haggis & Whisky-Cured Bacon Pie, giving this coastal malt a complementary savoury twist.
I Si with my little Pie…
For King, the project goes beyond flavour, it’s about purpose: “Being able to hand-pick some unique drams with Cask Trade and use them in my PROPA! pies has been a real joy. Bringing the two together in support of Sunderland and Newcastle food banks has been an absolute privilege.”
Asked by Hampden-White if there were more pie and whisky combos to be made, Si King suggested smoky Islay whiskies would be a natural match – “I just need to work on my appreciation of peat,” he said.
Cask Trade’s role in the project has been equally hands-on, from cask selection through to label design with local creative partners, keeping the entire collaboration rooted in the region.
All three whiskies are bottled at 46% ABV and are available via Cask Trade’s online store. With prices ranging from £39.99 to £59.99, collectors and curious food-and-whisky fans are likely to snap them up quickly, all in a good cause.
Mexican spirits culture celebrated as Tequila & Mezcal Show returns to London
Smoky Mezcals, regional Raicillas and crisp Tequilas return to London’s South Bank for the second annual Tequila & Mezcal Show. Last year, more than 600 agave enthusiasts brought the buzz, and this year promises to be even more exciting, with over 250 spirits from across Mexico gracing Glazier’s Hall. Running for two sessions on Friday…
Kingsbarns Distillery launches limited edition single malt inspired by St Andrews 19th hole
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Hackstons acquires rare collection of Unicorn whiskies from Van Winkle, Weller and Buffalo Trace
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
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