The first cask-strength release, from Dan’s favourite casks.
This cask strength release from the Cotswolds Distillery comes from our founder Dan's favourite casks: shaved, toasted and re-charred American Oak red wine barriques. These uniquely active casks give a rich and intense maturation to the distillery's fruity spirit, offering toffee, oak and red fruits, and a beautiful, deep colour.
Awarded 'Best English Single Malt' at the World Whiskies Awards 2019.
(All bottles come with a presentation box, packed separately to avoid damage in transit.)
Carefully sourced ingredients
Malt: Odyssey, grown on Cotswolds farms and floor-malted at Warminster Maltings.
Yeast: Two complementary varieties - Anchor and Fermentis - to ensure good yields and excellent fruity flavours.
Water: Village water supply - filtered, softened and demineralised before use.
Wood: Shaved, toasted and re-charred 225-litre American oak red wine barriques, made for us at the cooperage in Portugal in a process designed by the late Dr Jim Swan.
Lovingly crafted
The Founder’s Choice release begins with our new make spirit – creamy and incredibly fruity, thanks to the pair of yeasts, 90-hour fermentation and tight heart cut on the spirit still. We dilute to 63.5% ABV for casking, and then fill the American oak STR barriques.
These brilliant casks are designed to get the absolute best from the wood and provide the perfect conditions for maturing whisky. Dr Swan’s process opens up the wood, allowing for plenty of flavour and colour to be extracted. It also builds the perfect flavours in the oak – just enough influence from the original red wine, without overpowering the new make spirit, plenty of coconut and vanilla from the American oak, and deep toffee and caramel notes from the slow toasting and intense charring steps. It’s an extremely active maturation and gives a balance, depth of flavour and rich colour normally associated with much older whiskies.
Bottled at natural cask strength, non-chill filtered and with no added colouring.
Tasting notes
Nose: Dry hay and cut wood, with dark chocolate and dried figs, and plums in sweet syrup.
Palate: Warming cereal and toast notes, with lots of fresh red fruits and butterscotch.
Finish: Hints of spicy oak, lots of dried fruit and a lingering nutty, dry note.
Serving suggestions
We don’t believe in rules when it comes to enjoying whisky – sip this neat, over ice, in a cocktail – however you like!
