The Borders Distillery First Release
Our Malt Of The Month is The Borders Distillery First Release
Eight years in the making, The Borders Distillery has unveiled its first single malt Scotch whisky, marking a major milestone for the Hawick distillery. Matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before a final period in Madeira casks, this eagerly anticipated release combines rich sweetness, warming spice and layers of fruity complexity.
The Borders First Release
The arrival of The Borders Distillery First Release represents an exciting new chapter in the whisky-making heritage of the Scottish Borders. Since spirit first flowed from its stills in 2018, the distillery has taken a patient approach to maturation, allowing its whisky to develop character and complexity over time. Now, eight years later, that dedication has resulted in its first single malt Scotch whisky.
First-fill bourbon barrels provide the foundation, bringing classic notes of caramel, vanilla and honey alongside a soft, rounded sweetness. A final period of maturation in Madeira casks introduces additional richness and depth, with dried fruits and warming spice complementing the whisky's natural character.
The result is a smooth, approachable yet complex single malt, with layers of citrus, rich sultanas, berries and ginger leading to a lingering, gently oaked finish. This first bottling also offers a glimpse of the distillery's future, with first-fill bourbon cask maturation set to form the foundation of its signature single malts.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Rich sultanas, bright citrus and sweet caramel lead the way, followed by honey and vanilla. Notes of cola cubes, gingerbread and malt add further complexity.
- Palate: Soft and smooth, with ripe berries and stem ginger giving way to rich brown sugar, raw cocoa and buttery digestive biscuit.
- Finish: Warming and lingering, with hazelnut and buttery macadamia notes developing into dried fruits, candied peel and a gentle oak character.
The Borders First Release
Located in the historic town of Hawick, The Borders Distillery offers visitors the opportunity to explore whisky-making in the Scottish Borders, discover the story behind its revival and experience the distillery first-hand.
Discover The Borders Distillery and explore its tours and experiences on DistilleryTours.scot.