The Edinburgh-based Holyrood Distillery has announced the launch of a new collection of single malts, designed to bring together iconic wine regions with the distillery’s boundary-pushing approach to whisky making.

Each whisky in The Noir Trilogie has been crafted using Holyrood’s flavour-first philosophy. Scottish malt is combined with yeasts typically used in French wine production, resulting in a bold new-make spirit that has been matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon barrels and a variety of wine casks.

All three whiskies begin with a base of Pot Still malt, giving the spirit a robust, biscuity character. Yeasts commonly used in red or white wine fermentation are then added – with Bordeaux, Burgundy and sparkling wine yeasts all featured in the collection. Each spirit is matured in casks chosen to complement the yeast profile, further enhancing the flavours Holyrood’s distillers aim to showcase.

Noir – Premier Cru Yeast (47.2% ABV) Produced using 60% Pinnacle M and 40% Maurvin yeast, this expression was matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, ex-Chardonnay and ex-white wine casks. It is said to offer notes of tarte tatin, toffee, buttercup and pear.

Noir – Burgundy Yeast (47.4% ABV) Made with 60% Pinnacle M and 40% Maurvin B yeast, this whisky was matured in ex-Bourbon casks and Burgundy barriques. It is said to deliver notes of digestive biscuits topped with raspberry jam and pomegranate-filled brandy snap baskets.

Noir – Bordeaux Yeast (47.1% ABV) Crafted using 60% Pinnacle M and 40% BP725 yeast, this release was matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon and Bordeaux barriques. It is said to include notes of cherries, strawberries and blackcurrants, with a hint of Scottish tablet.

Commenting on the launch, Calum Rae, Holyrood Distillery Manager, said: “Holyrood was created to push the boundaries of traditional whisky making, and The Noir Trilogie is the latest example of that approach. While most of the industry uses the same style of yeast, we focus on flavour. With this collection, we’re celebrating yeasts typically used to make wine, creating a trio of cracking whiskies that honour the ‘Auld Alliance’. The best of Scotland meets the best of France! With all three whiskies offering remarkably different profiles, each bottle forms its own chapter in our distillery’s story – with a finish you won’t see coming.”

The Holyrood Distillery Noir Trilogie is now available from the distillery’s website and selected specialist retailers, with an RRP of £57.00 per bottle.