Bimber - Spirit of the Underground Series - Release No. 7
From the distillery
For The Spirit of the Underground Collection, Bimber’s team have selected from our finest London single malt whisky casks.
Each individual bottling reflects both our craft and our passion, revealing a highly individual, but perfectly balanced merger of aroma and flavour that signifies the apex of Bimber.
Produced with consummate skill and an unwavering commitment to quality, each release celebrates a different station on London’s Underground network and presents a unique piece of the city’s history.
A single cask release drawn from an ex-Bourbon cask to celebrate Euston station. Cask ref. 322, 257 bottles produced at an abv of 57.9%
Tasting notes
Appearance: Amber gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as thick, oily legs
Nose: Tropical pineapple, mango, warm treacle tart with vanilla ice cream, apricot jam, cinnamon, ginger and a touch of pine resin
Palate: Grilled pineapple and nectarines, dark chocolate coated bonfire toffee, ginger sponge with caramel sauce, black pepper adds spice. A few drops of water bring vanilla ice cream, together with oak spice
Finish: Long and lingering, oak spice, malt loaf and a touch of cool menthol
Overall: Deep and surprisingly complex, the bourbon cask really allows the typical Bimber character to shine through. Great balance between the tropical fruit and more savoury notes, water adds a little more vanilla but for me this is a better dram when taken neat.
A single cask release has been additionally matured in an ex-Madeira cask to celebrate Westminster station. Cask ref. 108/2, only 242 bottles produced at an abv of 57.2%
Tasting notes
Appearance: Deep coppery gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as thick, oily legs
Nose: Tropical pineapple, California raisins, sultanas, fruitcake, milk chocolate nibs, soft cinnamon and a hint of struck match
Palate: Dundee fruit cake, full of rich dried fruit and topped with lightly toasted almonds. Caramelised apricots with vanilla ice cream, soft brown sugar, cinnamon and a hint of struck match. A few drops of water reveals more tropical fruit and brings out more of the sulphurous struck match note.
Finish: Long and lingering, astringent oak, struck match, cinnamon and dried fruit
Overall: An interesting dram, the characteristic Bimber tropical fruit notes are very much in evidence and work well with the dried fruit notes from the ex-Madeira cask. There’s quite a bit going on here, and there’s a very pleasant interplay between sweet and more savoury notes. For me, this is one better taken neat as the struck match note becomes a little too pronounced with water.
A single cask release drawn from an ex-Moscatel sherry cask to celebrate Knightsbridge station. Cask red. 435, with only 290 bottles produced at an abv of 58.1%
Tasting notes
Appearance: Amber gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as thick, oily legs
Nose: Tropical pineapple, baked apple and caramel nut latte, whilst brandy snap biscuits bring warming ginger
Palate: Baked apples, ripe nectarines, pineapple upside down cake. A few drops of water bring milk chocolate, vanilla ice cream, together with nutty oak spice
Finish: Long and lingering, oak spice, hazelnut coffee with Demerara sugar, ginger spice and a hint of cooling menthol
Overall: A really enjoyable, nicely balanced dram, the Moscatel cask adds layers of chocolate and nuts to the typical Bimber spirit notes. The alcohol is well integrated, and although it certainly doesn’t drink like the abv would suggest my preference was to add a few drops of water and bring out some of the more subtle notes.
A single cask release drawn from an ex-Pedro Ximenez cask to celebrate Liverpool Street station. Cask ref. 444, with 298 bottles produced at an abv of 58.7%
Tasting notes
Appearance: Amber gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as thick, oily legs
Nose: Dried fruit, caramel toffee, berried fruit, tobacco leaf and a hint of menthol
Palate: Sherry-soaked raisins and sultanas, black cherries, Brazil nut toffee, dark chocolate enrobed coffee beans, clove oil. With water, mocha notes appear together with vanilla ice cream drizzled with a sweet, white balsamic glaze
Finish: Long and lingering, mildly astringent oak spice, black pepper and subtle menthol.
Overall: A very decent dram, the PX cask influence taking the more dominant role over the Bimber spirit. Not quite a sherry bomb but there is a subtle Christmas cake element. One of those dangerously drinkable whiskies, and perfectly enjoyable nigh neat and with a few drops of water.
It would be fair to say Bimber has had a bit of a rough ride over the past few years, however the ship appears to have been steadied and a bright future once again lies ahead.
This was my first time trying drams from their Spirit of the Underground range, and I have to say I’m impressed. Bimber’s first casks were only laid down in 2016, so it needs remembering that these are still young whiskies. However, all of these really do belie their youthfulness, and the quality is a real credit to the skill and passion of those involved in their creation.
I enjoyed all four, although my favourite was the ex-Bourbon cask Euston, which showed a remarkable level of depth for a young whisky.
Many thanks to Steve Rush, in his new role as Head of Marketing and Communications at Bimber and Dunphail Distilleries, for sending these over to review.
More information on this range of whiskies and the Bimber Distillery, follow the link to the company website.
Transparency: Received free of charge for independent review, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
