TOAST YEAR OF THE DRAGON WITH BERRY BROS. & RUDD’S WINTER RELEASE
Britain’s oldest curator of spirits and wine, Berry Bros. & Rudd, is set to conclude its 325th anniversary year with a final seasonal release of whiskies including a special Lunar New Year bottling.
The 2023 Winter Release comprises bottlings from handpicked casks that can be paired perfectly with the colder months, including robust and smoky malts from Islay distilleries Caol Ila and Williamson, boasting rich flavours of chocolate orange.
Richly sherried spirits including a Dailuaine single malt have been bottled to especially celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon. For something unique, a single-grain whisky from Strathclyde Distillery is bursting with fresh fruit and vanilla cream.
Joe Whittaker, Global Brand Ambassador for Berry Bros. & Rudd, said:
“For me, the ideal spirit in winter months is all about rich and luscious flavours that tantalise the taste buds and warm the senses, and I believe our selection of casks in the Winter Release encapsulates this.
Our passion at Berry Bros. & Rudd lies in championing quality and celebrating diversity, and we hope you’ll find as much delight in discovering these treasures as we did in curating them.
We’ve lovingly assembled a range that explores spirits from the iconic ports of Islay to the Highlands of Scotland and the final bottling of our English Whisky Collection from the idyllic Cotswolds Distillery.”
The last of four 2023 bottlings celebrating English distilleries, an offering from the Cotswolds Distillery provides notes of prunes and dates, an excellent finale to the English Collection.
Rounding out the Winter Release are a 33-year-old Exceptional Cask Miltonduff, one of the unsung heroes of Speyside and a magnificent representation of the Elgin-based distillery.
The 2023 Winter Release, featuring Caol Ila 2011, Williamson 2015, Dailuaine 2012, Strathclyde 2005, Cotswolds 2018 and Exceptional Miltonduff 1990, will be available from 7th December 2023 at bbrspirits.com.
TASTING NOTES
Caol Ila 2011
Fresh aromas of warm orange, chocolate, peat smoke and unlit cigars rise slowly from the glass before a lighter note of sugared almonds appears. The palate is luscious and heavily peated whilst fruity orange, savoury peat, cocoa powder and grilled lime all balance perfectly. Clove and yet more orange linger long on the palate. This is something akin to a peated chocolate orange.
ABV: 46.0%
RRP: £75.00
Williamson 2015 Cask #181
This feisty Islay whisky surges from the glass on a gale of sooty peat, turf, iodine and lanolin oils. Herein lies great complexity, unlocked by a teaspoon or so of water and a little time. Those with patience are rewarded with rich farmyard aromas, smoked hay, damp earth and kippers. The palate follows this theme, flowing from pure turf smoke to dark orange chocolate and composting fruit. Smoke and spice flow in waves on the long finish.
ABV: 60.8%
RRP £80.00
Dailuaine 2012 Cask #5052 / Oloroso Finish Lunar New Year Special Edition
Aromas of grassy, light green fruits fly out of the glass followed closely by tell-tale signs of thick, Sherry wood. Prunes, dates and spiced oak scale the olfactory senses. The palate is rich and full, holding one’s attention but balancing between distillate-driven orchard fruits and heavier Sherry notes. Spice roars across the finish building in intensity with a puff of wood smoke at the tip. Dailuaine’s heavy spirit is made for Sherry cask maturation and this meaty Oloroso butt has embraced the challenge beautifully.
ABV: 55.3%
RRP: £90.00
Strathclyde 2005 Cask #106490
The nose is initially reticent but some time in the glass brings out subtle banana bread, coconut milk and peach. The palate, conversely, is a crescendo of rich vanilla, cream soda, desiccated coconut and dark chocolate. It is incredibly powerful and integrates well with the high alcohol. The finish brings tingling spice and more subtle vanilla. Grain whisky really hits its stride at around 18 years and this is a prime example.
ABV: 56.5%
RRP: £102.00
Cotswolds 2018 Cask #2194
Aromas of dry, nutty Oloroso Sherry initially rise from the glass, building into dates, prunes and figs, before a little time to breathe reveals orchard fruits and a fresh floral side. The palate is pleasingly chewy, moving in waves from Sherry wood to green apples, honeycomb, and Victoria sponge. A long, lingering finish shows baking spice, prunes and a little citrus.
ABV: 53.5%
RRP: £125.00
Exceptional Miltonduff 1990 Cask #3809
This elegant Speyside dram gently rises from the glass with soft notes of coconut, warm malt loaf and stewed, spiced apples. A little time in the glass brings out candied pecans and peach skin. The palate is wonderfully fresh and vibrant with spice, soft fruit, citrus and honey. There is a perfect balance of subtle oak and fresh, peach driven distillate. Once again, we are reminded there is no substitute for long maturation in a delicate refill cask.
ABV: 54.1%
RRP: £680.00
Berry Bros. & Rudd
Berry Bros. & Rudd has been a trusted merchant since 1698 and this year it celebrates 325 years in business. It’s survived over the centuries because, as a family business, it has always operated with family values in mind. Recognised as the global destination for fine wine and spirits, Berry Bros. & Rudd still operates from its historic home at No. 3 St James’s Street and are committed to helping customers drink better now, and in the future. As it marks its 325th year, it continues to collaborate with our community of customers, producers, and colleagues to help create a sustainable future so it can confidently raise a toast to the next 325 years.
