This year’s Dark Harmony is an 8 Year Old Oyster Stout finished American oak single malt, the fourth in the experimental beer cask series and perhaps the most left field yet.
Following on from a heavily peated Black IPA finish that had maritime notes of iodine and salinity from our peated malt, we have again been inspired by the ocean with this fourth release, with oyster shells thrown into the boiling wort when making the imperial stout with Communion Brewing Co.
What does this seemingly crazy addition add to the subsequent whisky? A deep sense of umami, think seaweed and miso, and a gloriously oily and round mouthfeel with legs for days! Dark roasted malts add delicious chocolate and coffee notes, and there is herbaceous character owing to the hops in the beer.
Only 310 bottles made.
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"A complex whisky that will leave you pondering the wonders of both whisky and beer, with disparate elements brought together to make a whisky like no other!"
- Head Distiller Fiona Coutts
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More Production Details
It all started with a beer we brewed together in winter this year. We were inspired by our local seafood producers, with oyster shells thrown into the boiling wort when making the imperial stout with the Communion team. This brewed beer was then barrel-aged in a Hellyers Road American oak cask for 6 weeks, resulting in a silky-smooth, complex and delicious Imperial Oyster Stout.
That same cask then made it's way back to Hellyer Road, where we re-filled it with single malt and waited patiently for the Dark Harmony magic to happen.
Bottled in September, and finished with a meticulously waxed cork (thank you Cellar Door staff!), today we welcome a whisky like no other. Our 8 Year Old Oyster Stout finished American oak single malt.
