Exploring English Whisky, the community and promotional platform founded by Richard Foster to support the growing English whisky category, has launched the second release in its independent Explorer Series, a single malt from Somerset’s Retribution Distilling Co. The whisky debuted at the Seven Hills Whisky Festival last weekend. The 55% ABV expression is limited to just 84 bottles and is available now from the bottler’s website.
The whisky was fully matured in an Oloroso-seasoned Octave cask. It is bottled at natural color.
Retribution’s spirit is made using floor-malted heritage barley and fermented for seven days. Distillation takes place on a direct-fire still designed by founder Richard Lock.
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READ THE STORY“Our second Explorer Series release has been a long time coming, but I’m thrilled that it’s this delicious dram from one of the most exciting distilleries in England right now – showcasing the quality and flavour of Retribution’s wonderful whisky,” said Exploring English Whisky founder Richard Foster.
According to the official notes from the brand, the whisky carries flavors of coke float with vanilla ice cream, dark cherry liqueur chocolates, toasted nuts and light ginger cake. The palate is malty and biscuity, with a warm, lingering finish of baking spice.
Foster pointed to the role of craft in English production. “English whisky is proving that age is just a number – but flavour is the outcome of craft processes and quality ingredients made on small scale equipment by passionate, knowledgeable individuals, often with a flair for innovation and experimentation,” he said. “Nowhere is this more true than at Retribution and this whisky is testament to that ambition.”
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At Retribution, Lock had his stills made locally and collects grain in person from nearby Warminster Maltings. Fermentation uses a mix of ale and distillers’ yeasts over a minimum of seven days, while the direct-fire copper pot stills generate a Maillard effect for a richer new make.
The release follows a significant milestone for the category. English Whisky has recently been granted Geographical Indication status by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, legally protecting the names “English Whisky” and “English Whiskey,” meaning all four nations of the United Kingdom now hold equivalent legal protection for their national whisky under the UK Spirit Drinks Geographical Indications Scheme.
The whisky can also be sampled at the English Whisky Festival in Birmingham this November.
