Cotswolds Founders Choice 60.5% Single Malt English Whisky

700 ml, 60.5% abv, England

This cask strength release from the Cotswolds Distillery comes from the 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.

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  at the cooperage in Portugal in a process designed by the late Dr Jim Swan.

These 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.