Aultmore Launches Wine Cask Finished Whisky Collection

Aultmore released a limited run of three wine-cask finished whiskies recently, available exclusively at Heathrow Airport duty-free shops. The release is part of the Exceptional Cask Series, a collection of limited-edition bottlings from a number of Scottish distilleries, including Aberfeldy and Craigellachie in addition to Aultmore.

These three whiskies, which hit shelves at Heathrow April 18, are all 22-year-old single malts finished in various wine casks. The first was finished in a Super Tuscan cask—a term that refers to Tuscan wines made from non-indigenous grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon in this case—for 11 years. That expression is priced at £360 and limited to 108 bottles.

The second expression is finished in Château-Neuf-du-Pape casks, which “enhance the delicate side of AULTMORE to create luxurious deep red fruity notes,” according to a press release, and “veils the whisky with floral hues and touches of spice. Complex fruits – figs, plump juicy grapes and the scent of honeysuckle all redolent of the south of France.” That bottling is priced at £340 and limited to 144 bottles.

The final expression is a Moscatel-finished whisky, which spent 11 years in dessert wine barrels. The distillery’s tasting notes call out “florals, vibrant with ripe fruits, potent spices and a long luxurious finish” as well as “honeyed sweetness.” This third bottling is priced at £320 and limited to 222 bottles.

For those not familiar with Aultmore, it is a Bacardi-owned distillery that was founded in 1895. It rests in the Speyside region of Scotland, and draws its water source from the Auchinderran burn.