Cotswolds Distillery Introduces New Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky Expression

The Cotswolds Distillery recently announced the launch of Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky, the latest addition to the English whisky distillery’s Cask Collection.

“We always planned to launch a Bourbon Cask Single Malt ever since 2014 when we founded the distillery. It’s been a while in the making but it’s definitely been worth the wait. Our house style is to produce spirits with big flavours and by using first-fill ex-Bourbon casks, which arrive at the distillery with their staves soaked in Bourbon whisky, we ensure a full and rich flavour for this wonderful cask strength expression,” Cotswolds Distillery Founder, Dan Szor said, in a prepared statement.

Cotswolds Bourbon Cask Single Malt Whisky is made with 100% locally grown Cotswold barley and created from select first-fill ex-Bourbon casks in which what’s described as their rich and fruity single malt spirit has been matured. This sweet and malty cask strength expression has classic Bourbon-matured notes of vanilla and honey. It joins the rest of the Cask Collection, which encompasses Cotswolds Founder’s Choice, Cotswolds Peated Cask and Cotswolds Sherry Cask.

The Cotswolds Bourbon Cask expression begins with their new make spirit, which is said to be already smooth, rich and fruity thanks to the pair of yeasts they use, the long 90-hour fermentation and the tight heart cut on the spirit still. They dilute it to 63.5% ABV before filling the ex-Bourbon casks from Kentucky for full term maturation.

Over the last seven years, the Cotswolds Distillery team have been combining these Bourbon barrels with STR (Shaved, Toasted and Re-charred) ex-red wine casks to produce their flagship Cotswolds Signature Single Malt Whisky; yet this is their first whisky bottling to be exclusively Bourbon-matured.

The whisky was bottled non-chill filtered at cask strength for maximum flavour and without added colouring. Official tasting notes from the distillery say it has an aroma of decadent vanilla custard with a hint of malt. On the palate, raisins and caramelised figs, delicate vanilla. The finish is subtly earthy with a hint of honey.

Its recommended retail price is £64.95 and it has a 59.1% alcohol by volume.