Hercynian Distilling (Hammerschmiede) – Elsburn The Journey 12 Year Old Batch 002 Edition 2025 (46%)

Elsburn The Journey is a 12 year old German single malt from Hercynian Distilling, made at the Hammerschmiede in Walkenried in the Harz. This is Batch 002 of the 2025 edition, bottled at 46% in an edition of 1,050 bottles. It is not chill-filtered and has a deep, natural mahogany colour. The whisky matured in first fill wine casks: sherry, port, Marsala and Malaga. It comes in a dark wooden box with a rope handle. The nose combines roasted oak, malt sweets and dark caramel over oily raisins and a little vanilla. The palate brings fruitcake, bitter orange and creamy mocha with a hint of wood smoke. The finish carries ripe blackberries and a pinch of cocoa.