MOSSBURN SET TO MOVE INTO BORDERS ZONE

MOSSBURN’S SECOND DISTILLERY

A DISTILLERY IN THE SPIRIT OF THE REIVERS

Scotland has been witnessing a surge of new single malt distilleries since 2015. Surprisingly, only two grain distilleries have been built in the last half century – Loch Lomond (1993) and Starlaw  (2010). This year, Scotland’s eighth grain distillery and second multi-purpose distillery is set to open in the Scottish borders: Reivers.

Reivers is the first of two malt and grain distilleries being built by Mossburn Distillers, the owner and operator of Torabhaig on Skye. Located near the banks of the River Jedwater, Reivers (aka Project Jedhart), is a small, experimental distillery designed to produce a range of spirits, including malt whisky in pot stills and grain whisky in columns.

As detailed in a previous post, Mossburn Distillers, a subsidiary of Dutch drinks group Marussia Beverages BV, set up Torabhaig distillery on Skye. Mossburn chose to establish their second distillery – the new Reivers Distillery – in the Scottish Borders region, south of Edinburgh. It is only the second active whisky distillery to be opened in the area in 150 years. This beautiful rural area belies its storied and eventful past. With many ruined castles, abbeys and towns to be found across the hills that rise above the flood plains of the River Tweed, it is the unexpected home of the rebel spirit of the Reivers that survives to this day.

The distillery is named for the Border Reivers – lawless bands of raiders and marauders organised by families loyal only to their own kin, with no allegiance to either the English or the Scottish crown. They ruled the English and Scottish borders between the 13th and 17th Centuries, following a proud ethos to ‘steal with pride’. Their reputation is firmly established at the heart of the folklore of the region.

In a nod to the Reivers’ rebellious ways, the whiskies to be developed at the distillery will be experimental in nature. Each will be released as small batches and distillers will work to evolve and develop ever-more intriguing expressions over time.

THE MOSSBURN BENCHMARKS

Mossburn is a young company, whose first bottling under the Mossburn name was released in 2017 as a range of classic Independent Bottler Malts. In the nearly three decades prior, the team developed and honed its skills in blending and bottling whiskies and a variety of other spirits. Their combined experience spans generations, with over a century of continuous family history in the Scotch Whisky industry. As theye move into the next era of development, they will add their own exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whiskies created in distilleries built by themselves.

Designed to be much more innovative and experimental, Reivers will produce its first Single Grain Scotch Whiskies in 2020. Torabhaig and Reivers are poles apart, sitting at opposite ends of the whisky-making spectrum. But they are united in a common goal: to make something new, noteworthy and bring something unique to the table.

Mossburn is their own harshest critic, continually striving to further evolve and improve the high standards set. This underpins everything done – digging deeper to exceed expectations with more than just another whisky. So when someone takes a bottle of Mossburn Scotch from the shelf, he should be excited, intrigued and rewarded.

Measured Provocation

Driven by the Spirit of Intrigue, Mossburn continually seeks opportunities to create something different and compelling for everyone involved; every expression produced must be worthy of the buyer’s time and rewarding of his curiosity. Mossburn doesn’t believe in new for the sake of newness, but everything done must bring something to the table, must enrich the world of whisky, making the most of the past and present to shape the future.

Full-circle Approach

Mossburn’s field of activity comprises three broad facets. They have been independent whisky makers and blenders for some time, nurturing expertise and skills in blending, and assembling a range of mature Single Malt stocks. Informed by this background, they are also distillers, creating and maturing their own unique expressions. And they are distillery-builders, choosing locations with fascinating back stories and characterful surroundings, rather than for convenience or efficiency. These three facets are wholly complementary and make up what Mossburn would call an accomplished whisky maker.

Integrity Runs Deep

Mossburn is committed to doing things properly, and tenacious in achieving the results sought. This restless pursuit means their whiskies must stand up to scrutiny from people who know whisky.

The Spirit of Intrigue runs through their DNA. It is at the heart of the whiskies imagined and created. And it is the common ground to come together with the people who share their enthusiasm and curiosity.

Mossburn is here to make whiskies that appeal to those who love Scotch truly, deeply and proudly. Mossburn strives to see beyond the obvious, always choosing the road less travelled. There are no maps and it is as much about the journey as the destination.

Their Journey

As is known, Mossburn is an established distilling and blending firm, first seen in the market in 1992. Their blenders select unique batches from exceptional distilleries and masterfully blend woods and malts to express the best from all regions, showcasing the versatility each whisky offers. Their Signature Casks Series of dozens of popular single malts reveals the unique characteristics of Scotland’s whisky-making regions. Each expression is assembled exclusively from Single Malt Scotch Whiskies from a single region. This brand will be taken up separately.

They have independent Whisky Brands as well, the Caisteal Chamuis Blended Malt Scotch Whisky NAS 40% and the Caisteal Chamuis Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, 12YO 46%.

After blending these malts are further enhanced by secondary maturation in proprietary hybrid casks. This increases depth and complexity, emphasising regional characteristics with the addition of their unique signature.

The Mossburn Signature Casks range of whiskies showcase the typical characters of Scotland’s regional malts. They are classic expressions of their provenance, with further influence from their signature casks which were designed specifically to enhance the characteristics one looks for in each of these exemplary malts.

These whiskies were first aged in American Oak barrels prior to their initial blending, and were then matured for a second period in specially coopered custom-made Mossburn Casks. These casks were built to strict specifications, or Cask Bill, with each of the malts having its very own: Cask Bill #1 for the Island and Cask Bill #2 for the Speyside.

These Blended Malt Scotch Whiskies have been bottled without any colouring or chill filtration.

The Mossburn Cask Bill No 1: Smoke & Spice ex Islands. A blend of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies distilled on the islands of Scotland. To enhance the characteristics loved in coastal malts, the Mossburn Casks used were first fill ex-Bourbon barrels with toasted virgin European heads, to provide additional smoky spice.

The Mossburn Cask Bill No 2: Rich ex Speyside. A blend of Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whiskies which underwent a secondary maturation in Mossburn Cask Bill #2. These were specially built Oloroso Sherry Butts with heavily charred virgin American Oak heads which enhance the richness, depth and spicy vanilla flavours.

VINTAGE CASKS

The Mossburn Vintage Casks range are a collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies each issuing from a strictly limited and select batch of casks. Each numbered release will only ever yield a finite number of bottles. While this means that one can never replicate the particular character of each of these Single Malts, it also offers an opportunity to sample what is believed to be exceptional examples of the whisky made by some of Scotland’s most distinguished distilleries.

For this range they sought out Single Malts of interest from distilleries not owned or run by themselves. They are the issue of specific vintages, with full traceability of the distillation and cask ageing that they have undergone. The master blender has specially selected these barrels from the company ageing warehouses, where many Single Malt Casks lie slowly maturing, as worthy of special Mossburn Distillers & Blenders bottling. Each batch exhibited the classic hallmarks of balance, depth and complexity that only the best Single Malts can deliver.

The selected Single Malts have been produced in four batches, 2017/2018/ 2018A/2019, consisting of 7/7/9/4 bottlings respectively. They have all been bottled without any colouring or chill filtration.

2017:

• Linkwood 10 YO 2007
• Inchgower 10 YO 2007
• Blair Athol 10 YO 2007 Cask Strength
• Teaninich 10 YO 2007 Cask Stength
• Craigellechie 10 YO 2007
• Ardmore 10 YO 2007
• Miltonduff 9 YO 2008

2018:

• Dufftown 10 YO 2008
• Royal Brackla 10 YO 2008
• Auchroisk 11 YO 2007
• Benrinnes 11 YO 2007
• Macduff 10 YO 2007
• Craigellachie 10 YO 2007
• Royal Brackla 9 YO 2009
• Royal Brackla 9 YO 2009

2018A:

• Mannochmore 11 YO 2007
• Mannochmore 10 YO 2008
• Glentauchers 10 YO 2008
• Fettercairn 10 YO 2008
• Glen Elgin 10 YO 2008
• Auchroisk 10 YO 2008
• Benrinnes 10 YO 2008
• Glentauchers 10 YO 2008
• Benrinnes 10 YO 2008
• Glen Spey 10 YO 2008

2019

• North British Single Grain 15 YO 2003
• Ardmore 10 YO 2008
• Glenrothes 11 YO 2007
• Glen Spey 10 YO 2008

These Single Malt Scotch Whiskies have all been bottled without any colouring or chill filtration.

                                                                                   THE 2019 QUARTET

Independent Whisky Brands

CAISTEAL CHAMUIS BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Heavily peated - double barrelled. A bold & smoky Malt Whisky, mellowed and layered through secondary aging using Mossburn Hybrid Casks.

Caisteal Chamuis, also known as Knock Castle or Castle Camus, was once a strategic stronghold that helped Clan Macleod secure their hold over the Sleat peninsula on Skye, with the first elements of the castle raised in the 13th century on the site of an Iron Age fort known as Dun Thorabhaig. The castle ruins seen today are testament to its rich and storied history. This classic Island style Blended Malt Whisky is a tribute to Hebridean life and lore, and is a reminder of a time of peat fires, lively company, and bold spirits. Bottled the old way, without colouring or chill-filtration.

CAISTEAL CHAMUIS BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY NAS

Blended from a careful selection of fine peated Single Malts distilled on the Islands of Scotland. Double barrelled for added depth and a mellow oak-spice finish. Second maturation in first-fill Bourbon barrels. 46% vol.

CAISTEAL CHAMUIS 12YO BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Blended from a careful selection of fine peated Single Malts distilled on the Islands of Scotland, all aged for 12 years or more. Double barrelled for a rich, smooth and lingering finish. Second maturation in Oloroso Sherry casks. 46% vol.