Sylva WALNUT Sylva WALNUT Sylva WALNUT Sylva WALNUT
Sylva WALNUT Sylva WALNUT Sylva WALNUT Sylva WALNUT

Sylva WALNUT

Distilled & Aged

Limited Edition Gift Set.

20cl - <0.5% ABV

Sylva WALNUT is our most limited release at just 300x bottles, symbolising our forest in winter and a special gift to share with loved ones.

Inside the gift pack you’ll find:
  • Our Sylva Walnut winter spirit, made from Black Walnut, Elm, Sweet Chestnut, Reindeer Moss, and Crystal Malt Barley
  • Two NUDE rippled rocks glasses
  • Two keepsakes of Black Walnut wood
  • And a mycelium gift box you can simply place in your compost or garden when you’re ready to say goodbye

WALNUT captures our forest when the leaves have fallen and the woodsmoke hangs in crisp, still air. Black Walnut, Sweet Chestnut and Elm from our woods shape a deep, bold spirit; one to slow down with and the kind of drink that demands to be sipped beside a fire. Sip slowly over ice.

£50.00
Sold out
Free UK Delivery

RELEASE STORY

This release began with a winter walk.

Early one morning last year, on a cold, crisp day, I was out in the forest when I found one of our old elm trees had fallen overnight. When we extracted its flavour, I was stopped in my tracks. It had this deep, nostalgic character and took me straight back to antique shops I used to visit with my mother. Warm wood, old books, it was comforting, so giving and familiar. I knew we’d found the first wood for something special.

From there, we began experimenting: Our Black Walnut for its rich, dark bitterness; Our Sweet Chestnut for its gentle natural sweetness. And after a lot of research into the forest floor, we chose Reindeer Moss to bring an earthy, savoury, moreish depth. Together, they became the taste of a winter forest; quiet, grounding, and full of presence.

Because this release is for winter, a time for gathering and gifting, we wanted to make it feel complete. I have a long-standing love (read: habit) for collecting glassware, and so many of my favourite pieces have come from NUDE. They make the most elegant glassware I’ve ever found. When we shared the idea, they wanted to be part of it and so each box includes two of their rippled rocks glasses, chosen specifically for drinking Sylva slowly.

THE GIFT BOX

And then there is the box.

Beneath our forest grows an extraordinary system - the mycelium network - a living web through which trees share nutrients, messages, strength. Eight years ago I worked with The Magical Mushroom Company, to grow a gift box for Seedlip made from mycelium: fully biodegradable, no plastic, it really is a miracle material. So we called Paul, and naturally, he said yes. A gift box grown from the forest floor for a liquid born of the forest? Perfect.

This is a release to sip slowly. By the fire. With someone who matters.

Only 300 bottles available.

INGREDIENTS NOTES

BLACK WALNUT WOOD
Latin Juglans nigra
Origin UK - Sylva Forest
ELM WOOD
Latin Ulmus procera
Origin UK - Sylva Forest
SWEET CHESTNUT WOOD
Latin Castanea sativa
Origin UK - Sylva Forest
REINDEER MOSS
Latin Cladonia rangiferina
Origin Scotland
CRYSTAL MALT BARLEY
Latin Hordeum vulgare
Origin Suffolk

The Taste of a Winter Forest

On the nose

Deep forest warmth. Crushed walnut shells, autumn leaves after rain, and the gentle sweetness of chestnut wood. A quiet smokiness, like embers resting in a wood stove. Hints of moss and old books.

The palate

Rich and earthy. Crystal malt gives a rounded, toasted cereal warmth. Black walnut brings savoury depth and slight bitterness, balanced by the subtle sweetness of chestnut and the antique character of elm. It’s like walking through a winter forest with the scent of wood smoke drifting through the air.

The finish is

Long and grounding. Dry tannins, resinous wood, dark berries and warm whispers of dark cocoa.

INDEX

FALLEN ELM

One of our Elm trees fell down last year on the edge of the forest. The tree is at least 100 years old and you can taste it! Magical notes of antique shops and granny’s purse.

BLACK WALNUT

A supreme tree specie. Famed for its wood for furniture and its fruits that smell like bergamot. Brings notes of tobacco, leather and sandalwood.

SWEET CHESTNUT

The Romans loved them and brought them to the UK for us to roast at Christmas.

CRYSTAL MALT

Usually a brewing malt this is a roasted barley with deep, rich caramel flavour and subtle smoky spices.

REINDEER MOSS

An important food for the Caribou! Called a Moss but technically if we’re splitting hairs this is a lichen. Dominates the ground in boreal pine forests. We source ours from Scotland.