Double Distilled Single Malt First Fill American Bourbon Barrel

200 litres | First-Fill Bourbon Barrel | 63% ABV.  | Great Northern Distillery

New make spirit in first fill bourbon casks are ordered regularly from Great Northern distillery. If in stock with ourselves, you’ll be allocated cask upon receipt of customer order On some occasions, the casks might be on a back order and your cask will be allocated as soon as we receive delivery. Any questions please ask.

About First Fill Bourbon Casks

First-fill ex-Bourbon barrels are the most commonly used casks for Irish whiskey maturation. They give highly consistent and predictable maturation characteristics without overpowering the natural flavour of the spirit too much. Once bottled you can expect fresh and fruity flavour characteristics with notes of vanilla and gentle spice. These casks are well-suited to all whiskey styles and the 200 litre size makes them easy to store and transport. First-fill Bourbon Barrels are also one of the most economical cask types with a good cost versus quality ratio. 

Ireland has become better known for its triple distilled whiskey but it also produces excellent double distilled single malt. With double distilled single malt you retain a greater range of compounds which in turn gives the whiskey the opportunity to be a heavier feel.

Double Distilled Single Malt Production

Great Northern Distillery source Irish barley which is malted in Ireland. The grains are wet milled, breaking open the grains to form a grist. Mashing is when this grist is mixed with hot water in the lauter tun which then turns the starch into a sugary liquid called wort. The wort is then converted into a beer-like liquid once yeast is added. The yeast converts the sugar into alcohol and its now called wash. The wash is then double distilled in Great Northern’s giant copper pot stills. The spirit is put into cask at 63% abv and in this occasion will be casked in a first fill American Bourbon barrel.

Tasting note of a 3 year-old double distilled single malt from Great Northern that was matured in a first fill bourbon cask.

Aromas: Nice balance of barley and fruit flavours. Malted grains, orange oil, tangerines, vanilla, coconut, white grapes, pineapple and white chocolate. 

Palate: Intensely fruity and soft. Good mouthfeel with just a touch of oak tannin. Pineapple and tropical fruits to the fore with a touch of vanilla and coconut. 

Finish: Slightly dryer and with more prominent oak. Gentle spice