Woven, the award-winning contemporary Leith whisky studio known for its fresh approach to whisky, has partnered with Assembly Coffee in Brixton to launch WXC – a one-of-a-kind spirit drink that blends Scotch whisky with Colombian single-origin coffee.
Exploring the intersection of whisky and coffee cultures, WXC brings two worlds of ritual, flavour and craftsmanship into one exceptional drinking experience.
WXC celebrates the shared complexity and processes associated with both whisky and coffee, offering a spirit that invites both whisky enthusiasts and specialty coffee aficionados to discover an entirely new taste experience. In the same way that the traditional boundaries about where, and when, and by who these drinks are consumed are dissolving, the two brands hope to blend their communities through WXC.
The collaboration brings together the expertise of Woven’s Whisky Maker and Co-founder, Pete Allison and Assembly’s Head of Quality, Claire Wallace, who placed third in the World Barista Championship 2023. It marries the artistry of Woven’s whisky blending techniques with Assembly’s meticulous coffee roasting and sourcing philosophy.
The result is a flavour profile in which both components interact harmoniously for a serve that is bold yet balanced, fresh yet familiar – with neither whisky or coffee presenting as an afterthought.
The final product combines a proprietary blend of whiskies, leaning on fruit forward Speyside malts, and a particularly silky grain whisky that pairs beautifully with Assembly’s single-origin El Vergel Guava Banana, which boasts bright notes of pineapple and strawberry. Cold-brewed and expertly balanced, the coffee infuses the whisky with a juicy, tropical depth, resulting in a liquid which is equally at home in a cocktail or served neat, or adds a special touch to an old fashioned or espresso martini.
The spirit is designed to reflect an evolving whisky culture, where traditional consumption habits are being increasingly influenced by other categories and occasions. The rise of speciality coffee culture has created a roadmap for whisky to navigate new serves and drinking occasions that appeal to a curious, educated audience who value quality products as well as interesting flavour experiences.
Woven co-founder and Whisky Maker Pete Allison said: “Teaming up with Assembly was about celebrating the best of both coffee and whisky, and the rituals they inspire. Each component of WXC was crafted with the other in mind, embracing a shared belief that collaboration is a path to creativity and quality.
“By bringing together the most important elements of both worlds, we’ve created a product that’s more than the sum of its parts and supports our wider aim to make the world of whisky more accessible.’’
“The process of working with Claire and the Assembly team gave rise to entirely new conversations about the way flavour is considered, cultivated, and balanced in these two different arenas. In partnership, we’ve created something that speaks to both coffee and whisky lovers and gets to the heart of what we each love about our craft.
“We’re seeing a shift in the way people enjoy drinks, moving fluidly between categories like coffee, whisky, natural wine and craft beer. WXC is our response to this evolving landscape, perfect for ‘in between places’ that seamlessly transition from morning coffee to evening cocktails. It’s about finding common ground between different drink cultures and creating something new and exciting around which people can converge.”
Claire Wallace, Head of Quality at Assembly Coffee added: “From the first meeting between Assembly and Woven, it was clear that a common belief in quality, precision and innovation presented an enticing opportunity to challenge preconceived perceptions of coffee and whisky drinks.
“WXC showcases the potential in blending together our two worlds when crafting with the other in mind. It’s this harmonious approach that has created a flavour profile in which the components complement one another and neither the coffee, nor the whisky, presents on the palate as an afterthought.
“By uniting our two teams’ shared dedication to achieving sweetness, complexity and balance, we’ve created a beverage unique in its quality – a celebration of cross-category fusion.”
With just 1,500 bottles of the spirit available, WXC is as rare as it is unique. Non chill filtered and bottled at 44.5 ABV, with less than 1% sugar, WXC features 69.83% whisky and 29.47% coffee.
WXC is available to purchase at wovenwhisky.com and in-store at Assembly Coffee in Brixton, as well as from specially selected retailers, from 22 November at an RRP of £40.
