Whisky distillers across the globe continue experimenting with various casks and flavors, as the spirits industry is booming.
M&H Distillery, Israel’s first whisky distillery, recently launched its Apex Series, four expressions from different unique cask types: pomegranate wine, chardonnay white wine, French Limousin Cognac cask and fortified red wine cask.
Fairly new to market, M&H Distillery’s first single malt whiskies brought them awards such as “Craft Producer of the Year” in Whisky Magazine’s 2021 Icons of Whisky (Rest of World) and Whisky Advocate’s “Top 20 Whiskies of the Year 2020” for the Classic Edition.
Matured in the unique Mediterranean climate at the Tel Aviv-based distillery and crafted by Head Distiller Tomer Goren, the Apex Series is the result of what’s described by the brand as years of experimentation with special casks and looks to celebrate Israel’s rich terroir and unique climate.
Apex’s first offerings include a local Chardonnay wine cask from the Castel Winery, which brings forward earthy and grassy flavors. The pomegranate wine cask, which M&H says is the first and only single malt whisky in the world aged in a rare variety of pomegranate wine casks, recently garnered accolades at the World Whiskies Awards 2021. The third offering, Cognac cask, comes to reveal the flavors of French Limousin oak casks. The last batch in this Apex Series showcases a single malt whisky aged in a fortified red wine cask.
“The Apex Series is a great opportunity for us to showcase our innovative and out-of-the-box approach”, said Goren, head distiller, in a prepared statement. “Along with maintaining the standards of the traditional industry, we are always looking for ways to express our creativity and show the world the uniqueness of whisky making in Israel.”
The Apex collection is available in limited quantities in select whisky stores and e-commerce platforms now with the pomegranate and chardonnay wine cask whiskies. The Cognac and fortified red wine cask whiskies will be available starting in June.
M&H Distillery (Milk & Honey), as we learned when we interviewed them earlier this year, was established by entrepreneur and investor Gal Kalkstein. All the raw materials, equipment, casks and processes were selected to ensure that the final product – whether white distillates or aged whisky – meets the highest quality standards. M&H Distillery received guidance and advice from Dr. Jim Swan, a world-renowned master distiller. All the products of the distillery are kosher.