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Batch 002 of Ex-bourbon Oak Casks and Batch 003 of Oloroso Cask will be available to order directly from the distillery from Wednesday 25th November

Latest Small Batch releases have been produced to meet growing global demand for the London-based distillery's single malt whiskies

Bimber Distillery today announced the upcoming release of two new batches from its popular range of Small Batch single malt whiskies. The Ex-bourbon Oak Casks Small Batch single malt has been crafted from a vatting of carefully selected American Oak ex-bourbon casks laid down in 2016 - Bimber's first year of production. Batch 002 is bottled at 52.2% ABV, limited to 2950 bottles and will be available at an RRP of £65.

Oloroso Cask Small Batch has been produced from a vatting of 1st fill ex-bourbon casks that have been finished in Spanish oloroso sherry casks. Batch 003 is bottled at 51.4% ABV, limited to 980 and will be available at an RRP of £75.

Whilst the cask composition of both new bottlings remains the same as previous batches, the taste profile of each instalment changes as the distillery's stock continues to mature. As such, each subsequent Small Batch release offers a deeper understanding into the continued progression and versatility of Bimber's characterful spirit.

Speaking of the new Small Batch releases, Bimber spokesperson Matt McKay said: "We're thrilled to close out what has been a tremendous year for Bimber with the release of two new bottlings from our popular Small Batch range. The newest editions of our Ex-bourbon Oak Casks and Oloroso Cask Small Batch expressions offer existing Bimber drinkers a continued insight into the development of our maturing stock. But at the same time, they also provide those newer to Bimber with a perfect entry point to our range."

He added: "Despite the tests and trials of the last nine months we've seen the demand for our products grow exponentially. There's a real thirst for Bimber and the team is working hard to quench the continued global demand for our single malt whiskies."

Both of the new Small Batch expressions 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 light, fruit-forward, layered new make spirit.

Tasting Notes

Bimber Ex-Bourbon Oak Casks Small Batch 002

A vatting of American Oak ex-bourbon casks

Nose: Bright and elegant fruits – ripe apples together with apricots and peach melba. Split vanilla pod and sponge fingers are joined by coconut shavings and freshly toasted bread

Taste: Fruit-forward and with a delightfully syrupy body. Apricot halves and fresh peaches are perfectly balanced against vanilla-imbued crème patisserie and elegant peppery spiciness.

Finish: Lingering stone fruit sweetness and enduring spice

Bimber Oloroso Oak Casks Small Batch 003

Matured in 1st fill ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in casks which previously held Spanish Oloroso sherry.

Nose: Cinnamon rolls, freshly baked waffles and sweet buns sit with fresh and dried red berries whilst stem ginger is tempered by vanilla cream and lemon posset

Taste: Elegantly textured and with plentiful rich sherried notes – bright red berries, chopped bananas and chocolate-dipped walnuts. Golden syrup and pineapple chunks join cinnamon dusting and scorched orange peels.

Finish: Sustained refined spicing alongside receding sweet sherry

Michael Urquhart, former managing director of family-owned Scotch whisky and premium spirits specialist Gordon & MacPhail, has been named 2021 president of the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The IWSC's president represents the organisation's objective to promote the production of quality wines and spirits throughout the world. From the beginning, IWSC says it has placed special emphasis on the analysis and independence of its judging process and it is now one of the oldest and most respected industry competitions. It has hundreds of international experts - including buyers, producers, distillers, sommeliers, distributors and influencers – judging wines and spirits throughout the year.

Michael replaces 2020 president Tamara Roberts, CEO of English wine producer Ridgeview. He is the first Scotland-based president since former chair and chief executive of Edrington Sir Ian Good who held the position in 2009. Other iconic members of the wine and spirits industries who have been president include Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Wolf Blass, Robert Mondavi and Napa Valley winemaker, Warren Winiarski. Michael retired as managing director of Elgin-based Gordon & MacPhail, the fourth-generation business owned by the Urquhart family, in 2014 and stepped down from the board in 2017 after serving over 36 years in the company. He travelled extensively throughout the world promoting single malt Scotch whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail and also from the family's owned distillery, Benromach.

Becoming president of the IWSC adds to the many accolades Michael has received as a result of his dedication to the Scotch whisky industry. In 1999 he was made a Keeper of the Quaich and in 2012 a Master of the Quaich in recognition of services to the promotion of Scotch whisky worldwide. At the end of 2013, The Whisky Advocate, one of North America's leading drinks publications, presented Michael with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted to the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame in 2014.

Michael Urquhart said: "It's a real privilege, and I'm humbled, to be chosen as president of such a prestigious organisation as the IWSC. I believe this is a reflection of Gordon & MacPhail's standing in the drinks industry, and I thank all those involved in our family business for their support and contribution to our success over the years.

"I've always had the greatest respect for the IWSC and the excellent work it does in maintaining and developing the high-quality reputation of the global wine and spirits industry. I'm very much looking forward to getting behind the IWSC and ensuring it continues to work in the best interests of the entire industry."

Christelle Guibert, IWSC CEO, said: "We're delighted to be able to name Michael Urquhart as our new president. The president is chosen for their stature and reputation in the wine and spirits industry, and Michael perfectly fits this remit. He has dedicated his life to representing high-quality sprits, in particular Scotch whisky, through his family's business, Gordon & MacPhail. We're sure Michael will continue to build the excellent, long-standing reputation of IWSC."

Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: "We have seen first-hand how hard Michael has worked for our family business and on behalf of the Scotch whisky industry as a whole. This is yet more well-deserved recognition for Michael, and Gordon & MacPhail, and we're sure he will be an excellent president."