BBR celebrates Texas link with whiskey

Berry Bros & Rudd has added a Texas bourbon to its range, recalling the time when an independent Texas had its legation in St James’s Street.

Called ‘Texas Legation’ the whiskey was distilled by Ironroot Republic and blended by BBR’s spirits buyer, Doug McIvor.

He commented: “The historical link between Berry Bros. & Rudd and Texas dates back almost 200 years and it is fitting to finally have a product in the range that symbolises this.”

Robert Likarish, co-owner and distiller at Ironroot, added: “Being completely frank, when we were first contacted by Berry Bros. & Rudd about a possible project with a Texas whiskey distiller, we did have to question the authenticity of the query. It seemed almost too good to be true as one of the whiskies that inspired my brother and me on our journey is Berry Bros & Rudd’s very own Speyside whisky – The Glenrothes.

“We sent a selection of samples to be blended by the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd in London and Doug McIvor worked his magic and the rest, as they say, is history. Whiskey has a way of bringing people together and we are delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant.”

In 1836 the state of Texas seceded from Mexico and formed its own republic. Not yet a part of the United States (indeed some Texans did not want to become so) and menaced by Mexico, president Sam Houston sought to cultivate ties with France and Great Britain.

He sent his secretary of state, Dr Ashbel Smith, as an ambassador to Britain where he was recognised by the Court of St James’s.

Smith established the Texan legation above BBR’s shop at No. 3 St James’s and stayed there from 1842 to 1845 when Texas was admitted as a state of the Union. In 1963 the Anglo-Texan Society, as well as unveiling a plaque commemorating this diplomatic quirk, paid BBR an out-standing debt of $160 incurred by the legation during its time at No. 3.

The whiskey is described by McIvor as having, “enticing aromas of vanilla, honey, toffee, bananas and fresh bread. To taste, it’s lively and succulent, with flavours of red apples and toffee, rich molasses and a twist of black pepper.”

It is available from both BBR with an RRP of £49.85 and is also available through the merchant’s agency Fields, Morris & Verdin.