Award-winning distillery In The Welsh Wind, which makes gin but also has its own ‘Welsh Origin Whisky’ in the works, has released a limited-edition Mackmyra eight-year-old single malt whisky. This is the first in a series of independent bottled whiskies under the distillery’s new independent bottling label.

The west Wales spirits producer has added a personal touch to the barrel it secured from the Swedish distiller by ageing the contents for three months in a Banyuls cask. Banyuls is a sweet, fortified wine from south-west France.

The unpeated result is described as possessing a flavour profile of caramel, silver birch bark and pine along with the sweet rich notes from the Banyuls cask, all stitched together with a bergamot citrus finish.

The marrying of spirits with unusual casks is nothing new to In the Welsh Wind, which previously created an award-winning Palo Cortado cask-aged gin.

Ellen Wakelam, co-founder of In The Welsh Wind, said, “When we were offered the opportunity to have a single cask of [Mackmyra’s] eight-year-old single malt whisky, it just wasn't something we could say 'no' to! Mackmyra is an innovative Swedish distillery that we feel a strong affinity with as they share many of our ideals and maverick approach to spirits…

“With Mackmyra, we wanted to showcase the flavours offered by Banyuls – a sun-maderised [heated and oxidised] fortified red wine from the south-west of France. Banyuls is itself matured for at least 10 months, leaving the cask oozing with colour and flavour. This whisky sings with these prevailing notes...”

The release comprises just 300 bottles. At 48% ABV, it is priced at £75 and available from the distillery’s online shop.