Durham Distillery experiments in cask ageing
Craft distiller Durham Distillery has launched Durham Cask Aged Gin. It aims at a limited edition release of just 1,000 bottles with each one signed by head distiller Jess Tomlinson.
In an experiment with the cask-aged process in order to produce a unique gin offering, the company’s master distiller used two complimentary types of aged oak casks, American Bourbon and Spanish Oloroso Sherry, to create its own – adding fruity and honeyed complexity with subtle vanilla and citrus zest top notes.
The small-batch craft distillery, based on the outskirts of Durham, has been distilling since 2013 and is a traditional distillery, using a 400-litre copper pot called Lily (after the owner’s daughter).
Originally producing solely Durham Gin, the company, founded and led by Jon Chadwick, branched into Durham Vodka and additional seasonal products in 2014. Managing the entire distilling process in-house, the team of six produces just 300 bottles at a given time to ensure maximum quality, with absolutely no shortcuts taken.
