Selecting whiskyOUR APPROACH
Selecting the right whisky often seems to be a straightforward task. Nevertheless it takes many samples before we find the right whisky that can carry an Archives label.
What we learned so farWE BOTTLE
WHAT WE LIKE
Selecting casks to bottle by one person can already be hard, selecting the right casks with a unanimous vote by three people makes it challenging. We all have a different preferred style of whisky we like. We do know what our fans like but to combine this in a selection proces keeps us focussed and highly selective.
OwnersMenno, CJ, Dirk
01. SOURCING CASKS
Sourcing casks in a demanding market is easier said then done. Through networks and building relationships we have gained access to some good sources.
02. TASTING AND SELECTING
After finding the casks we will taste every sample which rules out 95% of the offered casks. Our standard demands balanced and pure whisky.
03. MATURITY OF WHISKY
The maturity of the samples differs from time to time. We are building our own stock to monitor the development of the liquid inside the casks. We just select we don’t adjust the whisky.
04. UNANIMOUS VOTE
With 3 people responsible for selecting the whisky we made it harder to find the right samples. But we all aim for the highest quality. Personal interest and personal flavour profiles are less important.
05. STRAIGHT FROM THE CASK
Once selected and approved we bottle the whisky. To keep the maximum flavour we don’t chill filter or dilute the whisky. We bottle straight from the cask.
06. MATCHING LABEL
The final step is to match a label to the whisky. This can be a small link in color or the way a fish or birds looks like. A friendly whisky deserves a friendly label. A more challenging whisky gets a bolder label.
EVERY WHISKY WE BOTTLE
TestimonialsFROM THE TRUE CONNOISSEURS
IRISH 1989 / SPRINGBANK 1996
Some pretty obscene all-fruit sherbet in your tasting glass. You just cannot resist! / Difficult and challenging, in a great way. What a coup, Archives!
SERGE VALENTIN
SPRINGBANK RELEASE
If you bottle your first Springbank, do it properly, and make it three!
RUBEN
SPEYSIDE 1973
When I nosed the whisky I knew it was going to be a treat. What I also knew was that this would be a serious contendor for whisky of the year.
SJOERD DE HAAN-KRAMER
