Bimber Distillery has partnered with the iconic department store Fortnum & Mason to release an exclusive single cask, single malt London whisky that has been finished in a Spanish fino sherry butt.
Originally matured for over four years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, Bimber London Single Malt was transferred for an additional maturation in a fino sherry butt sourced from Jerez-based Bodegas Tradición who are dedicated exclusively to the elaboration and ageing of very old sherry wines. The resulting single malt offers notes of vivid fruitiness alongside feisty piquancy, a nutty edge and ripe salinity.
The single cask release was crafted to Bimber’s exacting standards. The spirit was produced from the distillery’s single farm barley and malted on a dedicated floor at Warminster Maltings, before being fermented for seven days in bespoke on-site constructed American oak washbacks. Distillation took place in Bimber’s customised stills which possess an increased copper surface area, resulting in a light, fruit-forward, layered new make spirit.
On the nose, the whisky finds griddled pineapple, poached apricots and oven-baked pear tarts joining nutmeg and ginger, dry nuttiness, and a hint of coastal breeze. The palate delivers more pineapple, apricot and damson, which sit alongside warm mocha, toasted cereals, chopped nuts, and saline minerality. The finish features candied peels, lingering aromatic wood spice, and a pinch of sea salt.
“We are delighted to be working with Fortnum & Mason to release our first fino sherry cask matured single malt – and to introduce Bimber’s whisky to the store’s many whisky lovers,” said Bimber Distillery spokesperson Matt McKay. “This new release shows off a different aspect of Bimber’s versatile spirit profile, marrying intense fruitiness with the instantly recognisable character derived from fino sherry.”
“Knowing first-hand the outstanding quality of Bimber’s whisky, I sought a cask to add a new and unique dynamic to Fortnum’s first ever London single malt,” added Oscar Dodd from Fortnum & Mason. “Through our longstanding relationship with Bodegas Tradicion, I was fortunate enough to source a fino butt which was shipped over to Bimber in 2021 – a Fino finish also being a first for Bimber. Ex-Bourbon casks were transferred to the first-fill butt, with 857 bottles drawn at the point of perfect harmony between the whisky’s generous, sweet, fruit and nut character; and the sherry’s saline freshness.”
Bottled at 51% ABV, just 857 bottles will be released in Fortnum & Mason’s Piccadilly-based store and via the retailer’s website. It is priced at £85.
