Winter is coming, and the hour has come to throw on your furriest cape and head down the local tavern with your most trusted companions.
You may have spent your idle summer days quaffing sweet Arbor Gold wine, but the time has nigh for something a little stronger.
And if your local buxom barmaid has run clean out of Strongwine from Dorne, then there is still a beverage guaranteed to relax your battle-worn body as you mull over the trying times ahead.
Eight bottles of single malt Scotch whisky have been released which bear the names of the following celebrated Scottish distilleries: Clynelish, Royal Lochnagar, Dalwhinnie, Cardhu, Lagavulin, Talisker, The Singleton Of Glendullan and Oban.
And each bottle has been paired with a different, illustrious house from within the Game of Thrones universe, with the instantly recognisable crests sketched elegantly onto each label. There is also a mysteriously dark bottle representing The Night’s Watch, which is arguably a turbulent Westerosi family in its own right.
Each bottle has its own distinct flavourings and scents which encapsulate the lore and traits of each of the great houses.
For example, the description for Cardhu’s House Targaryen whisky will instantly bring to mind the fierce-some mother of dragons herself:
Fueled by the same fiery spirit of the fierce female leadership of Daenerys Targaryen, this single malt celebrates legendary women and their unwavering perseverance.
The Cardhu Distillery was pioneered by Helen Cumming and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth during the 1800s, a time when the whisky industry was almost entirely male-dominated.
Tasting notes of baked apple with baking spices open on the first nosing then transforms on the palate into a rich caramel character with hints of clove, red apple and a gentle nuttiness.
Meanwhile, Lagavulin’s House Lannister bottle perfectly channels the icy cold nature and destructive wealth associated with the notoriously cunning clan:
Lagavulin is one of the most legendary single malt brands and has been crafted on the shores of Islay for more than 200 years – mirroring the meticulous calculation and tenacity employed by the Lannister’s in their rise to conquer the Iron Throne.
This single malt whisky is a roaring single malt that recalls the Lannister’s riches and is best served neat or with a single drop of water.
Characteristic Lagavulin sweet smoke explodes on the nose with a little more brine than the other expressions. The palate opens with smoked caramelized banana and heavy vanilla and burnt marshmallow which subside into a light dry, slightly salted caramel.
Ranging in price from $54.00 (£42.06) to $112.00 (£87.23), these bottles will set you back a few Copper Pennies. But if your love for whisky equals your enthusiasm for Game of Thrones, then this will no doubt prove to be a tempting purchase.
You can buy the full set for yourself or a friend here.
The perfect gift to toast a special someone’s name day.
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Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.