English Whisky Co 2007 Founders Private Cellar Cask 0787

A rare and intense single cask release showcasing the bold influence of a first-fill Sauternes wine barrel.

At-a-Glance

This section details the critical facts for this highly exclusive Founders Private Cellar bottling.

Historical Context

Cask 0787 is positioned as a cornerstone of the Founders Private Cellar (FPC) range, reserved for the rarest of the rare and demonstrating the pinnacle of early English whisky-making. Distilled in November 2007, the spirit originates from the distillery's second year of operation. When bottled in September 2012, it became one of EWC's first ultra-premium releases, solidifying the brand's high-end collectible tier.

The selection of a 1st fill Sauternes wine cask (#0787) is highly significant. Sauternes, a renowned sweet wine from Bordeaux, imparts intense sweetness and concentrated fruit flavours. By using a first-fill cask and bottling the spirit at a youthful age (under five years), EWC employed an aggressive maturation technique. This approach, combined with the extreme cask strength of 61.2% ABV, ensured maximum extraction of flavour and colour in a short timeframe, allowing the distillery to achieve profound depth and a "luxurious character" quickly.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

This expression is defined by its singularity: a peated malt matured exclusively in single Cask #0787, bottled at a robust 61.2% ABV. The combination of a high-proof spirit and the potent 1st fill Sauternes wood acted as a highly effective maturation accelerator. The high alcoholic strength facilitated maximum interaction between the spirit and the residual wine and oak, resulting in a flavour profile that successfully bypasses the need for decades of traditional aging. The extremely limited outturn of 250 bottles reinforces its status as an unrepeatable collector's gem.

Documented variants

Cask 0787 was released in only one format: 70cl at 61.2% ABV. The liquid is confirmed as deriving from a peated malt.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

The exclusivity of Cask 0787 is reinforced by its presentation in an elegant Ibisco decanter bottle. Verification of the decanter style and the presence of the original wooden presentation box are mandatory for assessing its full collector value. Buyers must confirm the bottle number within the small 250-bottle outturn. Due to the high value and strength, careful inspection of the closure is required to ensure no evaporation has occurred. The spirit is noted as "unfiltered", meaning collectors should expect and accept the possibility of natural sediment or haze, which confirms the integrity of the non-chill-filtered process.

Regulatory/terminology notes

Cask 0787 matured for nearly five years, comfortably surpassing the legal requirement to be classed as Single Malt Whisky. The bottling is Non-Chill-Filtered (or "unfiltered") and presented at Natural Colour, critical standards for this premium, cask-driven product. The NCF status ensures that the rich, oily texture and concentration imparted by the 1st fill sweet wine cask are preserved entirely, delivering the bold character exactly as it emerged from maturation.

Liquid Profile

The profile is dominated by sweet wine influence, complexity, and high-intensity fruit.

• Nose: Highly complex and rich, showcasing sweet wine characteristics. Aromas include intense dried fruits, apricots, apples, a slight almond nuttiness, and hints of cinnamon.

• Palate: Rich, bold, and luxurious. The fruit notes are concentrated, often likened to rich fruits, malt loaf, and Christmas pudding. The youthful intensity is seamlessly integrated with the powerful Sauternes sweetness, providing a concentrated and velvety mouthfeel. A subtle hint of dried banana chips has been detected.

• Finish: Long and rich. The concentrated flavour lingers, defined by the sweet wine and spice structure. The underlying peated character is subtle, likely providing a foundational depth beneath the powerful cask influence.

• With water: Essential due to the extremely high strength of 61.2% ABV. A small addition will temper the alcohol heat, enabling the underlying malt structure and any delicate smoke notes to be appreciated beneath the dominant sweet fruit and spice profile.

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

This bottling represents a major achievement for The English Whisky Co. in its early years. Cask 0787 confirmed the high quality of the base spirit—even the peated variant—could withstand and integrate with highly dominant wood types like 1st fill Sauternes. The resulting release demonstrated EWC’s early mastery of innovative, flavour-intensive cask finishes, positioning them immediately in the global market as a producer of serious, collectible single malt.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras to prefer

The 70cl Ibisco decanter is the only format available. The 2007 vintage cask is highly sought after for its age and its origin during the distillery’s foundational period.

Red flags to avoid

Any listing without the Ibisco decanter or the wooden presentation box should be viewed as significantly devalued. Absolute verification of Cask #0787 and the 250-bottle outturn is necessary.

Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels)

Only pristine condition—including a very high fill level, secure closure, and undamaged packaging—is appropriate for sales in the specialist collector market, given the price point and decanter status.

Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative

Due to the extreme scarcity (250 bottles), unique cask type (Sauternes), and high ABV, market velocity for Cask 0787 is high whenever it appears on the secondary market. High margins are warranted and expected for this tier of early FPC release.