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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sean Murphy

Sam Heughan explains decision to go down different route for follow up to Sassenach whisky

What do you do when you release a Scotch whisky that's an instant sell-out success? Do you follow up with another whisky or try something different.

Well, it seems Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie Fraser on Outlander, has decided to go down the second route by releasing something fans definitely weren't expecting.

The Scots actor surprised fans by teaming up with El Tequileño Master Distiller Antonio 'Tony' Salles to create a new limited edition 'Sassenach Select' tequila.

Posting on social media, the Men in Kilts host wrote: "So thrilled and so excited to introduce our latest Sassenach Spirit baby! The Sassenach Select.

"The perfect blend of our cultures and passion, a partnership steeped in tradition, heritage, and a love of good tequila!"

But why tequila we hear you ask? The man himself revealed in an interview with Forbes magazine that he had visited Mexico on a trip before the pandemic and discovered not only a wonderful country but also the spirit itself.

He said: "A couple of years ago, pre-Covid, we went to visit [Mexico]. I had very little experience with tequila. I think especially in the UK, we’re quite far behind the rest of the world in our appreciation for it. I was just completely blown. My eyes were opened the whole experience. We went to Tequila Town.

"We met Tony Salles, we met the whole family, Tequileño. Just to discover the whole process and the history and the heritage behind it."

He added that it became something of a culture swap with Sam offering Tony and his team some of his own whisky.

"We celebrated with some whisky and they said they enjoyed it, and we enjoyed their tequila. It was really a very sort of natural, organic process.”

The star then revealed that Mexico and in particular the Jaliscan Highlands, reminded him of home.

He added: “It’s a very dear place and they’re very similar actually, the Mexican culture and the Scottish culture. This love of storytelling and celebration and family.

"We just feel really honoured to be part of that.”

Sam looked relaxed as he showed off his horse riding skills (Sam Heughan/Twitter)

Speaking about the release, an exciting Double Wood Reposado (a type of tequila that's spent a period of time in oak casks), Sam said it was the result of both country's "great passion for producing their national spirits".

He said that there was zero compromises on the "completely unique" tequila with no colouring, vanilla or any of the other "crap people put in there".

And how is Sam looking to enjoy it? It appears he'll be enjoying both the tequila and his whisky in New Zealand, where he'll be quarantining over Christmas ahead of the shoot for the second season of Men in Kilts.

It's a tough life.

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