From the Rickhouse: Tracking the Evolution of Our Whiskies

Welcome to the first instalment of our Cask Series. As we wait for our spirits to reach their peak maturity, we’ve been pulling samples to track how the wood, the weather, and our unique mash bills are interacting.

Aging whisky is a living process. It’s part science, part patience, and—as you’ll see below—a whole lot of sensory surprise. Here is a look at four very different casks currently resting in our warehouse.

Cask 79: The Historic First

• Spirit: Single Malt (the very first batch)

• Cooperage: New Oak, Kelvin Cooperage

• Age: 194 Days

This cask holds a special place in our hearts as our inaugural single malt run. Because it was Batch #1, we did not have "heads and tails." This batch shows how the full character of the still would develop.

• The Nose: Surprisingly complex for its age. High notes of rose and red apple are grounded by a heavy spice cabinet of nutmeg and cracked black pepper.

• The palate: The new oak from Kelvin has already imparted a rich, creamy mouthfeel. Expect banana and melted butter—a dessert-like profile that balances the spicy nose.
  

Cask 184: The Bourbon Influence

• Spirit: Single Malt

• Cooperage: Used Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cask

• Age: 83 Days

Using recently emptied casks allows us to play with the ghost of the previous spirit.

• The Nose: Bright and orchard forward with pear and banana, backed by a delicate rose floral note and a hint of toasted sugar.

• The Experiment: We found a small amount of original Buffalo Trace bourbon at the bottom of this cask. When we performed a 50/50 blend of our young malt and the aged bourbon, the profile transformed. It developed deep plum notes and a luxurious, "velouté" roundness that coated the palate perfectly.

Cask 255: Spring in a Bottle

• Spirit: Single Malt

• Cooperage: New American Oak, Kelvin Cooperage

• Age: 30 Days

Even at just one month old, the interaction between our malt and the fresh American oak is vibrant.

• The Profile: If you could bottle a May morning, this would be it. It is intensely floral (rose) and grassy, with sweet undertones of honey and pear. It’s crisp, clean, and remarkably fresh.
  

Cask 162: The Rye Hybrid

• Spirit: 68% Rye, 22% Barley (Hybrid Still finish)

• Cooperage: Used Buffalo Trace Cask

• Age: 118 Days

This mash bill is designed for those who love a bit of "bite" balanced by sophistication. Fine-tuned on our hybrid still, the texture here is already showing great promise.

• The Nose: A beautiful aromatic tug-of-war between rose and orange blossom.

• The Palate: The rye provides a signature liquorice and spice kick, which is softened by a rich, lingering toffee finish. It’s bold, herbal, and sweet all at once.

Which profile sounds most intriguing to you? 

We’ll be checking back in on these casks as the seasons change to see how that "spring" character in Cask 255 deepens into something more autumnal. Stay tuned!