Cotswolds Hearts and Crafts series

[Duncan Disorderly]

Today I dragged my family to visit Bourton-on-the-water so I could try and buy Cotswolds Distillery's latest Hearts and Crafts limited edition. 1500 bottles and just a couple hundred remain, so I wanted to visit the shop and taste it before spending £100. Half of Birmingham were spending their Mayday Monday in this chocolate box town, hilariously titled "Venice of The Midlands", but we had a decent day.

I tasted 3 different limited editions and whilst I'm not eloquent enough to write a proper report, here are my thoughts. Note: all of their whisky is NCF natural colour.

First up, Spanish Oak (50%) Using Oloroso sherry casks, first-fill ex-red wine and bourbon barrels. 3500 bottles made. This tasted almost exactly like their signature single malt. Quality vanilla style. No age. Not different enough to make me want to pay 3 times the price (£100) but extremely lovely.

Next was the Flaxan Vale from their harvest series (53.9%). Using American Oak PX, Spanish Oak Oloroso and Peated casks. 3500 bottles made, also no age. This was the least impressive of the 3 in my opinion, but those who prefer a very smooth dram will no doubt enjoy. My initial thought was 'cream of soda'. I'd happily sip it, but not at £100 a bottle.

Finally, by far the star of the show, the Hearts and Crafts 2024 release matured in Pineau des Charentes French Oak casks (55%). They only released 1500 bottles and I'm happy to now own one of them. Its a full bodied powerhouse with bags of flavour... think A'bunadh but more refined. Much like the Aberlour sherry-bomb, they don't tell you the age. The disillery has only been going for 10 years, so we know all of their whiskies are young, but the people behind the scenes must be very talented. This is a real stunner.

I'd be interested to know if anyone else has tried some of their less available whiskies... if so, I'd love to know your thoughts. Cheers

[Torrie]

I havent tried any of their limited releases, tbh the price for what will be relatively youmg whiskies which i havent pre-tasted before buying puts me off and you dont see many reviews to encourage you to splash the cash on them. Sounds like you got your moneys worth with the Hearts and Crafts 2024 bottling.

[davidbe]

I did a distillery tour there a couple of years back and was surprised to hear that they age a lot of barrels up in Liverpool, kinda sucked the romance out of the trip.

I do like their stuff but they charge an absolute fortune for their exclusive casks. Nice location and visitor centre though, well worth a visit for a dram and a coffee, just don't buy anything.