Bimber - Shoulders of Giants - UK Exclusives
From the Bimber website
Bimber has recently launched its latest releases from its acclaimed ‘Shoulders of Giants’ series — the distillery’s homage to the diverse tapestry of thinkers, innovators and visionaries who have shaped our world.
These UK-exclusive editions are inspired by and pay tribute to three legendary figures from the world of art: Vincent — The Dreamer, Claude — The Impressionist and Leonardo — The Visionary. Each release honours their creativity through remarkable single cask whisky that reflects their unique artistic vision.
Each expression in the ‘Shoulders of Giants’ series is bottled at natural cask strength and features attention-grabbing artwork and biographical details that celebrate the accomplishments of historical figures who have dared to dream and defied status quos.
Drawn from Bimber’s growing inventory of fruit-forward single malt whiskies, each ‘Shoulders of Giants’ release offers a different story both inside and outside of the bottle.
Single Cask Release | Fino Sherry
Cask Ref: 528/42 | 56.8% ABV | 335 Bottles
This meticulously crafted single cask release draws inspiration from the visionary spirit and enduring legacy of Vincent van Gogh - one of history’s greatest artists - whose profound influence continues to shape the world of art.
Additionally matured in a Fino sherry cask, this exceptional single malt whisky offers a warm and sophisticated welcome to the senses.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs
Nose: Tropical pineapple and subtle mango, vanilla pod, satsuma peel and just a hint of caramel sauce
Palate: Soft notes of caramel and toffee, with a little time a subtle Cappuccino note appears. With a few drops of water, bigger notes of caramel toffee, orange zest and mocha coffee come to the fore
Finish: Lingering caramel, sultanas and coffee
Overall: This really is an interesting whisky. When taken neat the palate is quite subtle at first and not overly complex, but still highly enjoyable. However, add a few drops of water and it really comes to life.
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Claude — The Impressionist
Single Cask Release | Ex-Bourbon
Cask Ref: 396 | 57% ABV | 279 Bottles
In celebration of one of history’s greatest artists, this exceptional single cask release has been crafted to honour the masterful touch of Claude Monet - whose groundbreaking techniques and visionary artistry continue to inspire generations of art lovers worldwide.
Drawn from a single ex-bourbon cask, this exquisite single malt whisky offers a wonderfully complex nose.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: New gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs
Nose: Baked apples filled with raisins and sultanas, heather honey, lemon citrus, icing sugar and subtle hints of cedarwood
Palate: Initially there’s sharp hit of abv, as that settles the dram becomes sweet and citrusy. Lemon drizzle cake at first, followed by sultana-stuffed baked apples dusted with cinnamon, soft brown sugar, honey, icing sugar, a hint of clove oil and white pepper spice. A little water brings more baked apple and oaky astringency at the expense of some of the pepper and citrus notes
Finish: Oak spices and tobacco leaf linger on the palate as the prickle of white pepper subsides
Overall: It’s a nice dram, despite the youthful nature of the spirit being evident very early on the palate. That said, the heat subsides quickly and the complexity of the spirit comes through. For me, it’s better without water as it seems to flatten it and lose a lot of the character.
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Leonardo — The Visionary
Single Cask Release | Palo Cortado
Cask Ref: 547/50 | 57.3% ABV | 340 Bottles
In celebration of Leonardo da Vinci’s unparalleled genius, this exclusive single cask release has been meticulously crafted to embody his enduring spirit of exploration, creativity, and innovation - capturing the very essence of his visionary mind.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: New gold, forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thin legs
Nose: Dried fruit, Medjool dates, oak spice and a subtle herbal note
Palate: Rich, creamy and astringent, chocolate coated caramels, rich dried fruit, dark roast coffee, black liquorice, woody oak spice and black pepper. Becomes a little less drying with a little water, and adds a little more liquorice
Finish: Mild liquorice bitterness, astringent oak, cinnamon and black pepper
Overall: There is a lovely rich, opulent feel to this whisky. It’s deep, well balanced and the alcohol is nicely integrated for a young whisky. I preferred it with a few drops of water to counter the astringent oakiness.
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Summary: A really interesting set of drams, each with their own individual and varied merits. My favourite would have to be Vincent, especially with a few drops of water. The RRP for these was £95 each, which seems very fair for a single cask offering at cask strength. These sold out almost immediately, which is testament to both the quality of the whisky and the loyalty of the Bimber fan base.
Many thanks to Steve Rush, in his new role as Head of Marketing and Communications at Bimber and Dunphail Distilleries, for sending this 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.
