Ad Gefrin announces ‘first’ Northumbrian single malts
English producer Ad Gefrin Distillery has announced the release date for its Crǣft Series, described as ‘the first’ Northumbrian single malt produced in modern times.
Ad Gefrin commenced distillation in November 2022, using Northumbrian barley sourced from farming families within 25 miles of the distillery and Cheviot water drawn from a borehole beneath the distillery floor.
The inaugural Crǣft Series features three single cask expressions selected by head distiller Ben Murphy.
Each whisky is bottled non-chill-filtered at 48% ABV, and showcases a distinct character shaped by wood and time.
Murphy commented: “Making whisky is about the meeting of art and science. We know how our distillery works best, what casks we need and how long to ferment for, but the art is in teasing out the deep-rooted Northumbrian character that embodies everything we do at Ad Gefrin.”
Cask 23170, an ex-American single malt barrel, opens with aromas of ripe fruit and sweet malt. On the palate, it develops flavours of spearmint and lemon sherbet.
Cask 23215 is an ex-Bourbon cask-matured expression that features notes of mango and spiced peach on the nose, while the palate reveals creamy vanilla and sweet cinnamon spice.
The whisky drawn from Cask 24492 spent 18 months in an ex-American single malt barrel before finishing in an oloroso Sherry hogshead. The casks bring together scents of dried fruit, resin, and new leather, with flavours of sticky toffee pudding and mulled wine spices on the palate.
“These three casks are distinct from each other, showcasing where art and science can take us,” Murphy explained. “The thing that unites them is the land from which they came and the backbone of sweet malt and rounded fruit character that is showing up in our new make and sustaining through maturation in the warehouse behind our still room.
“It’s a cliché to say we’re excited to release a whisky, but for it to be the first legal single malt from Northumbria in 200 years is an incredible thing. We can’t wait to see the bottles out in the world and see how they’re received.”
Mystery malt
The Crǣft Series features label artwork commissioned from a North East artist, with each artist responding to the unique character of their paired cask: Luke McTaggart for the American oak cask, Voirrey Taylor for the Bourbon cask, and Sarah Calavera for the Oloroso Sherry finish.
All three casks are released at the same time, with each of the approximately 1,200 bottles presented in a sealed box displaying the series name, at an RRP of £80 (US$107).
The specific cask remains unknown at the point of purchase and is revealed only when the box is opened.
Members of Corenkyn – the founding community of Ad Gefrin – receive limited early access to one bottle each.
The whiskies will be available from 31 July as part of the Lammas Gaderung, Ad Gefrin’s annual celebration of Northumbrian harvest and hospitality.
The Crǣft Series is the first in a planned series of up to 12 single cask releases.
Previous releases from Ad Gefrin include Corengyst Blend and Tácnbora, finished in ex-Cognac oak casks.
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