Bimber Spirit Of The Underground – Notting Hill Gate

A vibrant London single malt fully matured in a highly active Moscatel Sherry cask, capturing intense fruit and spice.

At-a-Glance

Historical Context

The Notting Hill Gate edition is a highly collectible release within the Spirit of the Underground series, a collaboration celebrating the London transport network. This single malt was bottled in April 2022 and released as part of Release No. 3 of the collection. Bimber Distillery, established in West London in 2015, has gained international acclaim for its traditional, artisanal methods, including the use of single-farm barley and direct-fire copper pot stills.

The defining characteristic of this bottling is its maturation regimen: it was matured in a single Moscatel Sherry cask, Cask #285/21. Moscatel casks are specifically chosen for their ability to impart intense sweetness and dense fruit notes, allowing the Bimber spirit to achieve remarkable complexity. This release is one of the more limited entries in the series, with an outturn of only 342 individually numbered bottles. This scarcity, combined with the iconic TFL branding, ensures strong and sustained collector interest.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

The spirit base benefits from Bimber’s standard high-quality protocol, including a lengthy seven-day fermentation in American oak washbacks. The whisky was bottled at its natural Cask Strength of 59.0% ABV. Full maturation in the Moscatel Sherry cask provides a profound influence, resulting in a liquid profile characterized by deep flavour saturation and a rich, oily texture.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & Authenticity Checklist

• Artwork: The packaging features bespoke TFL artwork representing the Notting Hill Gate station.

• Bottle Details: Each bottle is individually numbered (One of 342) and must clearly display the 59.0% ABV and Cask #285/21.

• Beading Test: At 59.0% ABV, the liquid should produce a persistent ring of tight bubbles when agitated, lasting approximately 20 to 30 seconds.

• Integrity: The fill level should be ‘Into neck’. As this is a modern collector's item, any damage to the tube or label significantly impacts the market value.

Regulatory & Terminology Notes

The spirit is officially classified as Single Malt Whisky and is presented at Cask Strength.⁴ This bottling is confirmed by the producer to be Non-Chill-Filtered and of Natural Colour. These details are consistent with the "Release No. 3" technical profile, which utilized various fortified wine casks to showcase the versatility of the Bimber spirit.

Liquid Profile

• Nose: Characterized by intense sweetness and dried fruits. Notes of candied lime, spun sugar, and balanced cask spices are prominent. It presents a deep and refined bouquet that reflects the floral characteristics of Moscatel wine.

• Palate: Rich and sweet; features a concentration of Mediterranean fruits, honeyed notes, and a layer of "spun sugar" sweetness. The oily spirit base integrates well with the spicy influence of the Moscatel wood.

• Finish: Long and contemplative; dominated by lingering dried fruit notes and a refined, warming spice that persists to the end.

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Bimber Distillery focuses on "fruit-forward" single malts, using traditional techniques like direct-fire distillation to create a robust house style. The success of the Notting Hill Gate release demonstrates the distillery's ability to pair its high-quality new make with powerful, full-maturation sherry casks, resulting in a whisky that offers stunning depth and complexity despite its relatively young age.

Sourcing

• Target formats: Pristine bottles including the original TFL-themed presentation tube or box.

• Red flags: Any signs of closure leakage or evaporation (ullage). Discrepancies in bottle numbering or ABV should be checked against the official outturn of 342.

• Condition thresholds: 'Into neck' fill is mandatory. The tube must be free from significant dents or scuffs to retain premium value.

• Market Expectations: Due to the fixed scarcity and the high collector demand for the TFL series, this expression maintains high margins and high velocity in the secondary market.

Sources & References

1. Bimber Distillery official "Spirit of the Underground" Release No. 3 technical data.
2. Master of Malt and Just Whisky auction database for Cask #285/21 (April 2022).
3. Technical documentation on Bimber direct-fire pot stills and floor malting methods.
4. West London spirits market analysis (2015–2024).
5. UK Spirit Drinks Regulations for single malt classification.