All aboard – Bimber Distillery announces The Spirit of the Underground Release No.3
Following being chosen as a finalist at the 2022 Brand and Lifestyle Awards (B&LLA), London’s Bimber Distillery today announced the launch of the third release of The Spirit of the Underground Collection, produced in conjunction with Transport for London (TfL).
Release No.3 showcases four new stations: Camden Town, Canary Wharf, Notting Hill Gate and Tower Hill – each featuring stunning iconography presenting unique pieces of London’s history, and adorned with striking labels and packaging design that observes the significance of each station’s location.
Each of the four releases in Release No.3 has undergone a secondary maturation in a different fortified wine cask – with three of the stations showcasing cask types that have not previously been released by the distillery. Each is bottled at natural cask strength and without chill filtration.
The Collection, which will total 44 individual releases, features a selection of iconic single malt whiskies that celebrate the heritage and diversity of the distillery’s home city. With stunning individual designs, each bottle presents a different Tube station on the London Underground network – the oldest underground passenger railway service in the world.
Release No.3 of The Spirit of the Underground Collection will be available directly from Bimber’s Spirit of the Underground website from Monday 16th till Thursday 19th May via a weighted ballot, and with an RRP of £125 per bottle.
Speaking of the launch of the third release in the collection, Matt McKay Bimber’s Director of Marketing and Communications said: “We’re delighted to reveal the next four stations that will be joining The Spirit of the Underground Collection. For this release we’ve selected four outstanding casks which showcase our ever-broadening selection of flavour profiles. Each of these fortified wine casks has brought both a unique influence and a different perspective to our distinctive London spirit. And we’re particularly excited to be using Release 3 to unveil three entirely new casks styles that we have added into our growing cask inventory.
Ellen Sankey, Brand Licensing Manager at TfL added: “We are delighted to see Bimber Distillery further capture our unique brand with this latest release, which nods to both TfL’s and the capital’s rich heritage. Innovative collaborations such as this are a great example of how brands can work with us and let their customers have a little bit of London in their home.”
All the expressions in The Spirit of the Underground Collection were 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, which results in a rich fruit-forward, layered spirit.
The Spirit of the Underground Collection – Release No.3
The Spirit of the Underground – Notting Hill Gate
Moscatel Sherry Cask Finish – Ref 285/21
Nose: Tinned pineapple and peach juices are sweetened further by brown sugars whilst macerated orange peels join homemade lemonade
Palate: Richly composed with clementine and nectarine strudel served with a side plate of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg dusted baked apple
Finish: Toasted oak and shaved chocolate join spent coffee grounds
342 bottles
70cl
59% ABV
The Spirit of the Underground – Camden Town
Amontillado Sherry Cask Finish – Ref 288.23
Nose: Chopped hazelnuts, rye bread and manuka honey join orange zest, lemon oils and nutmeg
Palate: Almond paste and hazelnuts sit with pepper and chilli-spiced waffles, whilst bright orchard and citrus fruits mingle with honey and chocolate syrup
Finish: Nutty with lingering piquant spice
351 bottles
70cl
58.5% ABV
The Spirit of the Underground – Canary Wharf
Marsala Cask Finish – Ref 298/9
Nose: Mandarin peels, cooking apples and toasted almonds sit atop of warmed honey and delicately spiced oak
Palate: Orange zest and candied lemon peels give way to effervescent spicing from ginger, nutmeg and clove whilst mentholated oak joins chocolate covered almond brittle
Finish: Lasting spice and char sit with enduring fruit sugars
320 bottles
70cl
58.1% ABV
The Spirit of the Underground – Tower Hill
Palo Cortado Sherry Cask Finish – Ref 302/13
Nose: Delicate dried slices of apricot and orange join richer sherry-led spices whilst white chocolate and caramel are livened by vanilla and white pepper
Palate: Bright apple and citrus fruits are further enriched by toffee, caramel, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg whilst gently charred oak sits with espresso beans
Finish: Coffee and walnut cake invigorated by tangy cask spices
348 bottles
70cl
58.7% ABV
About Bimber
Bimber Distillery produces world-class single malt whisky, handcrafted with passion in West London. As a leading distiller of English whisky, we combine generations of rich distilling heritage with the finest quality ingredients to create the ultimate craft whisky experience.
About Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated transport authority responsible for delivering Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s strategy and commitments on transport. It runs the day-to-day operation of the Capital’s public transport network, including London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, London Buses and TfL Rail services, as well as managing London’s main roads. TfL does all it can to support the millions of journeys that are made every day and keep the city moving, working and growing. TfL reinvests all income generated through fares and commercial revenue to run and improve services and is committed to reducing costs. The licensing deal for this product was delivered through TSBA Group, TfL’s brand licensing partner.
