18.05.22 Whisky Production
All Fired Up On Cask Research For RyeLaw
By Dr Jennifer Rifkin of Tatlock and Thomson and Ian Palmer of InchDairnie Distillery.
When we began to look at producing RyeLaw in 2016 we studied the definition of Rye Whiskey in America. This definition is very clear on the basic principles but many of the parameters gave us plenty room to develop our own unique take on this outstanding whiskey. One of the parameters however needed some study but this was not going to happen overnight.
Our RyeLaw is different in many respects from how rye whiskey is produced in both America and Canada. We use malted rye and malted barley, most of the American and Canadian distillers use un-malted rye and often other grains are added to the mash bill as well. We ferment with our own special yeast strain. We batch distill the wash in our wash pot still and our Lomond Hills spirit still while in American and Canada most of the whiskey is distilled in continuous stills of various designs.
One of the major differences which was difficult to understand was the maturation. The definition asks for new oak charred casks, which are rarely used here in Scotland. We mature our RyeLaw here in Scotland which has a different temperature and humidity profile to both America and Canada. With all these difference in the new spirit and the maturation conditions why should we mature the RyeLaw in the same casks?
As casks are toasted in Europe to different specifications, we needed to understand what char we should use, in order to gain a comparison.
In 2018 we took delivery of some casks charred from char one to char five, the normal is char three. In addition, we took delivery of some American Oak casks that had been toasted to three different specifications, light, medium and heavy. We filled all these casks from the same RyeLaw batch which had been reduced to the specified strength, 62.5%alc. Over the years since filling, we have monitored how each of the chars and toasts were maturing. This year, 2022, we carried out a detailed analysis of all these casks and the outcome of this detailed study can be found here.
Our Founder Ian Palmer, Hands Over the Reins as Managing Director to Scott Sneddon
Today, InchDairnie Distillery announces a significant management transition, as whisky industry visionary Ian Palmer will hand over the reins as Managing Director to Scott Sneddon, the distillery’s current Distillery Director.
Introducing the Sample Room Range, Launching Exclusively with the Whisky Shop
Our innovative approach to flavour continues with the launch of our small-batch trilogy series, the Sample Room Range, available exclusively on launch from the Whisky Shop.
InchDairnie Wins Best Bottle Design at the World Whiskies Awards
InchDairnie Distillery Appoints New UK Distributor, Disaronno International UK Ltd.
RyeLaw has launched in Travel Retail
InchDairnie Distillery is proud to announce its partnership with Gebr. Heinemann for the European expansion into Travel Retail for our first release, RyeLaw Fife Single Grain Scotch Whisky, now available at Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Vienna airport.
Our Luxury Partnership with LeBlanq – 2023 Highlights
In early 2023, we announced our partnership with luxury cycling tour specialist, LeBlanq as their official Global Whisky Partner for 2023/24. LeBlanq believe in rewarding life’s hard work with the ultimate escapism – indulgent weekends of eating and drinking all whilst joyriding in some of the world’s most beautiful cycling and culinary destinations.
RyeLaw Wins Newcomer of the Year
RyeLaw wins Newcomer of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2023.
RyeLaw has Launched Coast to Coast in Canada
Our Managing Director Ian, has been on a whirlwind tour, launching our golden liquid across the stunning provinces of Canada.
RyeLaw Has Launched In The Far East
The global roll out of our first brand, RyeLaw, continues with the launch in Taiwan and Japan. Both these countries are key markets in this important whisky region and we are delighted to be working with Union Liquor in Japan and Drinks, Wines and Spirits Co in Taiwan.
