Southwold Whisky Distillery Matures Casks Viking Style
A cruise line and a distillery are set to revive an ancient tradition of sending a cask of whisky on a sea voyage. A nine-year-old barrel of Adnams single malt starts a 103-day world cruise this weekend. The company is bent on reviving one of the oldest methods used to mature whisky.
The Southwold Distillery partnered with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to age whisky through the movement of the ocean. The 9-year-old single malt whisky will finish its final days onboard the cruise as it visits ports and seas.
In April, the Borealis returns to Southampton after a world tour involving over four major continents. Major countries include Mexico, the US, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, the islands of French Polynesia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The cask will return to the distillery upon arrival.
The Art of Maturing Whisky Using The Ocean Movement
When asked about the process of maturing whisky using the slow movement of the ocean, both partners were proud of the tradition. Thomas Rennesland, hotel operations director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “This is actually a centuries-old maritime tradition.
“In the days before glass bottles, spirits were transported in barrels from where they were made to where they were sold.
“The time and constant motion was known to mellow and mature these spirits giving them a unique flavour.
“These days many brands are returning to these routes and looking to age their products at sea, and we are absolutely thrilled to play host to a brand that is local to us here in Suffolk.
Adnams head distiller John McCarthy described the voyage as “an extraordinary opportunity” to enhance the whisky’s character.
“This collaboration with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines sees a 10-year-old celebratory whisky take an exciting detour from its usual journey.
“We’ve done our best to get things shipshape for the voyage, by using the finest East Anglian malted barley and maturing it in new French oak barriques, before it embarks on the maritime aging process aboard the Borealis.”
The new whisky will be served on the cruise line ships.