Berry Bros. & Rudd Announces 2023 Winter Release Collection
Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced the launch of its latest seasonal collection, the 2023 Winter Release.
The 2023 Winter Release collection consists of five Scotch whiskies, one English whisky, and one Jamaican Rum, all bottled unchill-filtered and of natural color:
Caol Ila 2011
Limited to 894 bottles at 46.0% ABV
RRP: £75.00
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.
Williamson 2015 Cask #181
Limited to 335 bottles at 60.8% ABV
RRP £80.00
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.
Dailuaine 2012 Cask #5052 / Oloroso Finish Lunar New Year Special Edition
Limited to 493 bottles at 55.3% ABV
RRP: £90.00
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.
Strathclyde 2005 Cask #106490
Limited to 215 bottles at 56.5% ABV
RRP: £102.00
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.
Cotswolds 2018 Cask #2194
Limited to 341 bottles at 53.5% ABV
RRP: £125.00
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.
Clarendon 2008 Cask #8
Limited to 411 bottles at 55.0% ABV
RRP: £85.00
The rich nose on this rum is honeyed, smoky and with hints of diesel, banana and vanilla. As rich as you would expect from a Jamaican rum, this oozes class. This is largely due to the restraining fruits controlling the stronger elements and it being drawn from the cask in its prime. On the palate, it takes a while for the alcohols to dissipate but the balance of flavours integrate to give a lasting, rich and memorable taste. The finish lingers with the prevalent diesel and banana notes still bound in honey. The final impression leaves me with memories of sandy beaches in the sunshine. This is a very pleasing rum.
Exceptional Miltonduff 1990 Cask #3809
Limited to 243 bottles at 54.1% ABV
RRP: £680.00
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.
The Berry Bros. & Rudd 2023 Winter Release collection is available for purchase via the Berry Bros. & Rudd website.
Source: Berry Bros. & Rudd.