Ad Gefrin, the Anglo-Saxon museum and distillery in Wooler, has released what it describes as the first legal Northumbrian single malt whisky of the modern era, ending a two-century absence of local single malt production.
The debut bottling arrives as the Crǣft Series, a collection of three single cask whiskies that offer an early glimpse into the distillery’s maturing house style. It’s a significant milestone for Ad Gefrin, which opened its distillery in 2023 with the aim of reviving whisky making in a region where the tradition had long fallen silent.
Founded by the Ferguson family, Ad Gefrin has built its identity around Northumbrian provenance. The spirit is distilled using barley grown by farming families within 25 miles of the distillery and water drawn from a borehole beneath the stillhouse.
Distillation began in November 2022, and while a permanent single malt range continues to mature, Head Distiller Ben Murphy has selected three individual casks to showcase the character developing in the warehouse.
This is a significant milestone for Ad Gefrin, which opened its distillery in 2023…
Adding mystery to a historic whisky debut
Each whisky in the Crǣft Series is bottled at 48% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no added colour. Every bottle features artwork commissioned from a North East artist, matched to a specific cask.
“Making whisky is about the meeting of art and science. We know how our distillery works best, what casks we need and how long to ferment for, but the art is in teasing out the deep-rooted Northumbrian character that embodies everything we do at Ad Gefrin,” says Ben Murphy, head distiller.
The first release, Cask 23-170, was matured in an ex-American Single Malt cask. It opens with aromas of ripe fruit, sweet malt and sandalwood. On the palate, notes of spearmint, honey blossom, lemon sherbet and candied ginger emerge before a finish of nutty sweetness, banana, mint spice and tart fruit.
Cask 23-215 matured in an ex-Bourbon cask and appears the most overtly tropical of the trio. Official tasting notes speak of mango, pineapple cubes, spiced peach and polish on the nose. Creamy vanilla, pipe tobacco, overripe banana and sweet cinnamon spice follow, leading to a rich finish of honey and malt biscuits.
The third whisky, Cask 24-492, spent 18 months in an ex-American Single Malt cask before finishing in an Oloroso sherry hogshead. The result is the darkest and richest expression in the collection, with aromas of resin, cigars, honey, dried fruit and new leather. The palate delivers sticky toffee pudding, vanilla, mulled wine spice and cedar, while the finish lingers with notes of sultanas, figs and dry oak.
Adding an element of intrigue, all three whiskies will be sold in identical sealed presentation boxes. Buyers will not discover which whisky they have received until the box is opened.
Approximately 1,200 bottles will be released, with members of Ad Gefrin’s Corenkyn community receiving early access. The launch coincides with the Lammas Gaderung harvest celebration on July 31.
The Ad Gefrin Crǣft Series is bottled at 48% ABV and priced at £80.
Tickets for the launch events and purchasing information are available through the Ad Gefrin website.
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Ad Gefrin, the Anglo-Saxon museum and distillery in Wooler, has released what it describes as the first legal Northumbrian single malt whisky of the modern era, ending a two-century absence of local single malt production.
The debut bottling arrives as the Crǣft Series, a collection of three single cask whiskies that offer an early glimpse into the distillery’s maturing house style. It’s a significant milestone for Ad Gefrin, which opened its distillery in 2023 with the aim of reviving whisky making in a region where the tradition had long fallen silent.
Founded by the Ferguson family, Ad Gefrin has built its identity around Northumbrian provenance. The spirit is distilled using barley grown by farming families within 25 miles of the distillery and water drawn from a borehole beneath the stillhouse.
Distillation began in November 2022, and while a permanent single malt range continues to mature, Head Distiller Ben Murphy has selected three individual casks to showcase the character developing in the warehouse.
Adding mystery to a historic whisky debut
Each whisky in the Crǣft Series is bottled at 48% ABV, non-chill filtered and with no added colour. Every bottle features artwork commissioned from a North East artist, matched to a specific cask.
“Making whisky is about the meeting of art and science. We know how our distillery works best, what casks we need and how long to ferment for, but the art is in teasing out the deep-rooted Northumbrian character that embodies everything we do at Ad Gefrin,” says Ben Murphy, head distiller.
The first release, Cask 23-170, was matured in an ex-American Single Malt cask. It opens with aromas of ripe fruit, sweet malt and sandalwood. On the palate, notes of spearmint, honey blossom, lemon sherbet and candied ginger emerge before a finish of nutty sweetness, banana, mint spice and tart fruit.
Cask 23-215 matured in an ex-Bourbon cask and appears the most overtly tropical of the trio. Official tasting notes speak of mango, pineapple cubes, spiced peach and polish on the nose. Creamy vanilla, pipe tobacco, overripe banana and sweet cinnamon spice follow, leading to a rich finish of honey and malt biscuits.
The third whisky, Cask 24-492, spent 18 months in an ex-American Single Malt cask before finishing in an Oloroso sherry hogshead. The result is the darkest and richest expression in the collection, with aromas of resin, cigars, honey, dried fruit and new leather. The palate delivers sticky toffee pudding, vanilla, mulled wine spice and cedar, while the finish lingers with notes of sultanas, figs and dry oak.
Adding an element of intrigue, all three whiskies will be sold in identical sealed presentation boxes. Buyers will not discover which whisky they have received until the box is opened.
Approximately 1,200 bottles will be released, with members of Ad Gefrin’s Corenkyn community receiving early access. The launch coincides with the Lammas Gaderung harvest celebration on July 31.
The Ad Gefrin Crǣft Series is bottled at 48% ABV and priced at £80.
Tickets for the launch events and purchasing information are available through the Ad Gefrin website.
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