Littlemill, Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, is celebrating its innovative heritage with the launch of an exclusive annual collection: the Cask Reflections Collection. This new series draws from the distillery’s rare remaining stock to pay tribute to its pioneering past while embracing modern-day innovation through unique cask finishes.
The first release in the series, Cask Reflections Release No.1, has been aged for 33 years and offers a unique finish in Japanese Mizunara oak casks—a first for Littlemill. Initially aged in refill bourbon barrels, the whisky was then transferred to the rare Mizunara oak for a four-month finish, under the careful supervision of Master Blender Michael Henry. The result is a complex and refined whisky, intertwining Lowland floral notes with exotic spice and sandalwood from the Mizunara, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.
Michael Henry, Master Blender at Loch Lomond Group, owners of Littlemill, said: “The Cask Reflection Collection will revive the spirit of discovery associated with Littlemill’s founding years and subsequent boom. We have worked to honour the liquid, enhancing its delicate Lowland qualities with the fascinating traits of the Japanese Mizanura oak. Mizunara oak takes time to grow and only yields a small amount of wood annually. Like Littlemill, it is rare. The staves are thick and porous, imparting flavour at a much greater pace, which requires my keenest attention and care to ensure the finish doesn’t overpower what would have been the distillery character”
Founded in 1772 in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Littlemill was a trailblazer in whisky innovation. The distillery closed in 1994 and was tragically lost to a fire in 2004, but its spirit lives on in the few remaining casks. The Cask Reflections Release No.1 pays homage to this enduring legacy—with only 570 bottles available worldwide, each bottle offers a chance to taste a piece of whisky history.
The Cask Reflections Collection aims to embody Littlemill’s journey through the centuries, while inviting whisky aficionados to explore an enriched version of the distillery’s distinct Lowland character. The tasting notes include hints of fragrant sandalwood spice, elderflower, green apple, and warming oak spice, providing a layered experience that bridges tradition and contemporary flair.
Tasting Notes:
- Nose: Fragrant sandalwood spice, green apple, elderflower.
- Palate: Honey sweetness, green apple, kiwi fruit, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Finish: Long with lime citrus and warming oak spice.
Priced at £3,800 per bottle, Cask Reflections Release No.1 is bottled at cask strength (49.1% ABV) and presented in a traditional Littlemill-style decanter, encased in a handcrafted wooden box adorned with Japanese-inspired etchings.
This release is now available online here.
