Tasting Notes:

Nose: Full and sweet showing brown sugar, raisin, honey, and shortbread

Palate: Robust showing brown sugar, dried dates, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of leather.

Finish: Long, with notes of fig, cinnamon, and a hint of tobacco.

On April 9th of 1940 four casks filled with Spanish Brandy lay resting in the hold of a cargo ship. The ship was readying to enter port at Oslo Norway where the casks would be unloaded. However, as the ship approached the harbor the Axis forces took control of the port and Norway was suddenly thrust into World War 2. The Captain of the ship had to make a choice, enter port and take the chance that his ship and crew would be taken, or turn around and sail through U-boat infested waters back to Spain. The Captain and crew braved the voyage home and survived to tell their tale.

Once returned to their original home the casks were used to age fine Spanish Brandy for 75 years until they were finally retired. That’s when the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery team found them and decided to write the next chapter in these casks amazing story. The casks made yet another voyage by ship, this time to the United States where we filled them with 11 year old Bourbon. We then allowed the whiskey to set for more than three additional years in casks as the new world spirit slowly took on the old world character of the Spanish Brandy.

Now, 79 years after their first use, these casks are ready to show the world that the old adage is true, some things are better with time.

This limited release will be available only in the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery gift shop while supplies last.