Single Cask Nation Retail Release #4 now available in the US!

Arriving earlier than anticipated, we're pleased to announce the launch of our fourth retail release in the United States. This release marks the beginning of a new partnership with ImpEx who will represent Single Cask Nation retail nationally. As you can imagine, we're incredibly excited by this latest development and there will be plenty more single cask offerings in 2019! ImpEx has a proven track record of supporting independent bottlers (Chieftains and Exclusive Malts, for example) as well as independently owned distillers (Kilchoman, Penderyn, and Ohishi immediately come to mind). Fear not, though, Joshua and Jason will still be flying around the country in support of both retail and online sales.

We continue to update our distributor list so you'll know when Single Cask Nation retail has made it to your state. Watch closely in 2019 for new forays into mezcal and American single malt as well as a return to more single cask rum. In the meantime, here are the details for the three Scotch single casks in this fourth release:

Craigellachie 10yo, refill Bourbon Hogshead

This cask bottling, distilled in May 2008, spent ten years maturing in a refill bourbon hogshead. It was bottled at cask strength in May 2018 at a whopping 67.3% ABV! Cask #900305 yielded 288 bottles.

Color: White tea

Nose: Opens with a pungent thick peat reek but in time a sweetness develops with candy necklaces and pear drop hard candies, then a brininess that also includes ground grey pepper (unmistakable cask presence)

Palate: Meaty and juicy upon entry with warm malted barley, powdered confectioner’s sugar, a burst of ground clove, Garibaldi biscuits, and distinct barrel char!

Finish: Long and warming with lingering barrel char, dark chocolate with sea salt, more confectioner’s sugar, and damp oak

On the label: Known for it's typically heavy style of whisky, this Craigellachie falls right into line. Its departure, however, is in the heavily peated character of this spirit. Dank and pungent with earthy smoke, however, don't fret, rich fruits, an oily mouthfeel, and a bread-like malty backbone remain

Recommended Retail Price: $130/bottle

Macduff 13yo, 2nd fill Oloroso Sherry Butt

This cask bottling, distilled in August 2003, spent thirteen years maturing in a 2nd fill oloroso sherry butt. It was bottled at cask strength in May 2018 at 57.2% ABV. Cask #123 yielded 126 bottles for retail sale. The other portion of the cask can be found in this year's edition of The Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar.

Color: Bronze

Nose: Big funky sherry at first blush but opens to reveal frozen chocolate covered bananas to the fore, brown Licorice All-Sorts, grilled apricots, angel food cake in the background, sticky sweet molasses, sherry spice

Palate: That delicious sherry funk returns but now with clean dishwashing gloves ultimately giving way to coffee ice cream with chocolate covered almonds, hints of sweet BBQ sauce

Finish: Sassafras leaves and cold coffee with dark chocolate nibs

On the label: A bit of old sherry cask funk upon opening but quickly gets chocolatey. Nutty, and fruity. Notes of sticky molasses, coffee ice cream, and sweet barbecue sauce help make this cask a beguiling one, to be sure! 

Recommended Retail Price: $140/bottle

Stones of Stenness 18yo, 2nd fill Bourbon Barrel

This cask bottling, distilled in November 1999 at an undisclosed Orkney distillery, spent eighteen years maturing in a 2nd fill bourbon barrel. It was bottled at cask strength in May 2018 at 54.8% ABV. Cask #453 yielded 186 bottles for retail sale. The other portion of the cask can be found in this year's edition of The Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar.

Color: White tea

Nose: Pleasing light peat to open followed by a slight medicinal note, linen closets, honey drizzled over fresh cantaloupe, roasted hazelnuts, and lit tinder sticks

Palate: Floral smoke with hints of grass and cereal with a building vegetal quality, dried mangoes and melons, cask char mid palate, beach stones, pleasantly salty

Finish: White chocolate, sea salt, ground grey pepper

On the label: A perfect balance between lightly peated malt and a rich melon-like fruitiness. Quite different from the distillery’s offering of the same age. The ex-bourbon maturation allows a different side of the distillery’s house style to shine through.

Recommended Retail Price: $200/bottle