Pioneer

EXPEDITION SERIES | WINTER 2025 | SINGLE MALT WHISKY

 

RELEASE NOTE

Raise a glass to the pioneers. To our namesake, Charles Cooper King, who sailed the world in the 1800s; to the distillery team, crafting the country’s first net zero energy whisky; and to you, the whisky explorer, embracing a new world whisky that’s changing the face of the industry. We're demonstrating that exceptional whisky can make a positive impact on both people and the planet.

‘Pioneer’ is the next adventure in the Expedition Series of releases; a journey of discovery through the finest casks in our warehouse.

Positive Impact. 3% from every bottle sold is donated to our charity partner, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, to fund life-changing apprenticeships for young people in rural areas, to help protect vital UK habitats (YDMT Registered Charity No. 1061687).

DISTILLER’S COMMENTS

“This whisky brings together notes of rich, dried fruit and vanilla from premium wine and sherry casks, interwoven with layers of ginger and toasted oak from Kentucky rye whiskey casks.

Adding water releases hints of marzipan and toast on the nose, followed by generous helpings of baked apple, dried hay and a luxurious, vanilla pastry sweetness on the palate. The finish is elegant, with a tingling of rye spice on the tongue, enticing you back for more.” - Abbie Jaume, Head Distiller

TASTING NOTES

  • Nose: vanilla custard, cola cubes, baked apple and marzipan.

  • Taste: ginger biscuits, dried fig, rye spice and toasted oak.

  • Finish: medium-long with stewed fruit and ginger cake.

SUGGESTED SERVE

  • Short: neat, or with a dash of water.

  • Long: enjoy in a Whisky Highball. In a glass filled with ice, mix one part whisky to three parts soda water, Indian tonic water or ginger ale. Garnish with an orange slice.

RELEASE DETAILS

  • 50% ABV

  • 700ml

  • 1046 bottles

  • Natural colour

  • Non-chill filtered

 

SPIRIT SPECIFICS

  • Cask profile: 42% ex-red wine NEOC, finished in ex-bourbon / 34% ex-rye whiskey / 15% ex-bourbon / 9% refill sherry

  • Wood profile: 51% European oak / 49% American oak

  • Cask size: 90 litres to 110 litres

  • Casks filled: August 2019 to December 2020

  • Maturation time: 4 years (youngest whisky) to 5 years, 4 months (oldest whisky)

  • Maturation location: Cooper King Distillery

  • Grain: 100% floor-malted English Maris Otter barley

  • Yeast: distiller’s yeast

  • Fermentation time: 6 to 7 days (144-168 hours)

  • Distillation: double distilled on a 900 litre copper pot (‘Neilson’)

  • Batch number: 2503

 

Explore further:

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