Bimber Artful Dodger New Make Spirit Drink

A rare, unaged single malt spirit from London's urban Bimber Distillery, bottled independently for a whisky collective.

Historical Context

Bimber Distillery, founded in 2015 in London, has rapidly established itself as a producer of high-quality English Single Malt Whisky, known for its commitment to traditional production methods, including floor malting their own barley and a long fermentation process. The distillery's name, 'Bimber,' is Polish slang for moonshine, referencing unaged spirit.

The Artful Dodger New Make Spirit Drink is significant as the first-ever independent bottling of Bimber's spirit, released in collaboration with The Artful Dodger Whisky Collective shortly after the distillery began production. New Make spirit releases offer a transparent look into a distillery's core character, providing the "whisky DNA" before the profound influence of the oak cask is applied. This limited release of only 250 bottles is a cornerstone piece for collectors tracing Bimber's early history and spirit profile. The release date of February 2018 places the spirit among the very first batches distilled by the London facility.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

This product is a New Make Single Malt Spirit, distilled from 100% malted barley. Bimber is known for a long, seven-day fermentation period using two types of yeast, which contributes to its signature fruity and zesty flavour profile even before maturation. The spirit is distilled slowly in small copper pot stills, aiming for maximum copper contact to create a clean, characterful, and high-ABV spirit. It is bottled at a high strength of 63.5% ABV in a 50cl bottle format, consistent with single cask or specialist releases. The vintage (2018 distillation and bottling) and the specific independent bottler (Artful Dodger) define this variant. It is fundamentally unvaried across its small run of 250 bottles.

Documented variants

• 63.5% ABV, 50cl volume, 2018 Bottling, released for The Artful Dodger Whisky Collective. This is the only documented variant of this specific independent bottling.
• Bimber has released other New Make spirits (usually 'unaged' or 'new make' labelled) directly, but this collaborative bottling is unique.

Variant Matrix

| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| 63.5% | 50cl | Specialist/Collector | Artful Dodger Independent Bottling, 1st IB release | Highest |

Packaging & authenticity checklist

Authenticity is straightforward due to the limited, single-batch nature.

• Capsule/Closure: Typically a simple screw cap with a thin foil or plastic capsule. Integrity of the seal is important.
• Seals/Crests: The label should clearly feature both the Bimber distillery name and the Artful Dodger Whisky Collective branding.
• Batch/Bottle Codes: The limited number of bottles (250) makes the bottle number, usually hand-written or stamped on the label, a key authenticity check. The bottling date (February 2018) should also be present.
• Common Pitfalls: No common lookalike editions exist, but damage to the limited-edition label is the main detractor of value.

Regulatory/terminology notes

The term New Make Spirit Drink is regulatory. Under UK law, any spirit distilled from malted barley that has not spent a minimum of three years maturing in oak casks cannot be sold as 'Whisky' or 'Single Malt Scotch Whisky.' It must be labelled as a 'Spirit Drink' or 'New Make Spirit.' Crucially, as it is unaged, it is by definition Non-Chill-Filtered and Natural Colour.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

Nose: Highly aromatic, intensely malty and fruity. Notes of sweet malt, fresh orchard fruit (apples, pears), a noticeable citrus zest, and a hint of fresh bread dough.

Palate: Surprisingly smooth for a high ABV spirit. Powerful delivery of sweet barley sugar, intense malt, light spice, and the distinct, clean fruitiness that is Bimber's signature.

Finish: Long, warming, and cereal-driven, with a lasting sweetness and a slight, sharp alcohol bite.

With water: Water is necessary due to the high ABV. It softens the alcohol, amplifying the fruity, floral, and malty characteristics.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by the producer. (Estimated to be around £45 - £55.)

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): £85.00 (One credible listing found for an available bottle.)

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer):

• £70.00 (Auction hammer, Late 2024)
• £55.00 (Auction hammer, Early 2024)
• £65.00 (Auction hammer, Mid 2024)

  Pricing stratification: Pricing is determined by rarity (250 bottles) and its historical significance as the first independent bottling. The high ABV and the 50cl bottle size are consistent.

  FX note: No conversion used.

  Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is low due to the small outturn, but velocity is high among Bimber and English Whisky collectors. Bottles are rare but appear steadily on specialist secondary markets.

Price Snapshot

| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Retail | Recent | 50cl, 63.5% ABV, Artful Dodger IB | £85.00 | Current specialist retailer listing |

| Auction | Late 2024 | 50cl, 63.5% ABV | £70.00 | Hammer price, good condition |

| Auction | Early 2024 | 50cl, 63.5% ABV | £55.00 | Hammer price |

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Bimber Distillery operates in London, using a hands-on, grain-to-glass approach that is unusual for a modern, urban facility. They are known for a heavy, fruity, high-quality new make spirit achieved through their floor-malting and long fermentation process. This unique spirit is the foundation of their rapid success. The Artful Dodger Whisky Collective is a London-based independent group known for curating and bottling highly specific, often experimental, whiskies and spirits, aligning well with Bimber's craft ethos.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras to prefer: The 50cl, 63.5% ABV bottling with a clear bottle number from the 250-bottle outturn.

Red flags to avoid: Any bottling without the explicit 'Artful Dodger Whisky Collective' on the label. Damage to the bottle number or bottling date.

Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): High fill level (expected for a recent new make) and an immaculate label are crucial for collectible value. Original presentation packaging (if one existed, Not stated by the producer) would be ideal.

Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: High velocity and good margin potential due to the scarcity of Bimber's early collectible releases.