Edinburgh's Holyrood Distillery, which was recently named Distiller of the Year in the Icons of Whisky Scotland 2025, has launched the Re-Rack Series. Through the series of limited-edition single malt whiskies, the distillery plans to exercise its "experimental and flavour-first" approach to whisky making via styles of maturation.
The first release from the series is Re-Rack #1, a single malt originally matured in a bourbon cask and "re-racked" in a rum cask. The expression will be released in a limited-edition run of 227 bottles.
Distillery manager Calum Rae explained: “We’re kicking 2025 off with a belter of a whisky. Re-Rack #1 is the first in an exciting new series which lets us play with different casks and explore maturation in a way we haven’t done before. Quite often we’re known for experimenting with yeasts in our single malts but this series is all about the casks. We’ve cut the flowery language, we’re not talking about finishing or double maturation, we’re simply moving the liquid to a second cask, or re-racking, to bring in different characteristics and amp up that flavour.”
“We used Distiller Yeast DY502, which produces a light and neutral flavour profile but with subtly fruity and cereal-like qualities. Once this delicious wash is distilled we mature it in a first-fill bourbon cask then re-rack in a rum barrique and you get Re-Rack #1.”
The Edinburgh distillery launched its inaugural single malt whisky Arrival in 2023, followed by two additional expressions, Embra and Ambir, in 2024.
Re-Racked #1 (59.7% ABV, RRP £75) will be available via Holyrood Distillery and select specialist retailers.