Spirit of Birmingham Inaugural Release Single Pot Still Whiskey
In stock
Spirit of Birmingham Inaugural Release Single Pot Still Whiskey is a landmark English whiskey and the first ever produced in Birmingham. Created by the city’s first dedicated whiskey distillery, this limited inaugural bottling marks an important moment for both Birmingham and the growing English whiskey category. Bottled in June 2025 at 48% ABV, just 900 bottles were produced.
The whiskey is made from an unconventional five-grain mash bill comprising malted Maris Otter barley, unmalted flaked barley, malted oats, malted rye and chocolate malt. Each grain contributes a distinct element to the finished spirit: Maris Otter brings rich cereal character, oats add weight and creaminess, rye provides warming spice, and chocolate malt introduces deeper roasted and cocoa notes.
Maturation took place across four individually named casks. Babylon and Gnawa were first-fill ex-Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, while Capricorn and Electric were made from virgin Staffordshire oak. The first-fill bourbon casks add generous vanilla, caramel and toffee, while the locally sourced virgin oak brings toasted wood, spice, tannin and further depth. The four casks were brought together to create a full-bodied single pot still whiskey with a distinctive balance of sweet grain, chocolate, spice and mature oak.
The nose opens with vanilla, buttery toffee and toasted malt, followed by creamy oats, cocoa and a lift of pepper and clove. The palate is rich and silky, delivering caramel, milk chocolate and honeyed grain alongside cinnamon, rye spice and warming toasted oak. A long finish leaves lingering vanilla, dark chocolate, gentle pepper and the structured tannic character of virgin Staffordshire oak.
Spirit of Birmingham Inaugural Release is a highly collectible piece of Birmingham distilling history, but it also offers considerable interest as a drinking whiskey. Its unusual mash bill, combination of American bourbon casks and English oak, and limited 900-bottle outturn make it an excellent choice for collectors of inaugural releases and drinkers exploring innovative English whiskey.
Product Details
Tasting Notes
Colour
Rich copper-gold with a radiant amber core and a warm honey-bronze rim; a sunlit, luxurious whiskey colour that suggests oak-influenced depth and complex maturation.
Nose
Opulent nose of vanilla and toffee from first-fill casks, mingled with toasted Maris Otter malt and chocolate malt. Creamy oats add warmth; malted rye affords bright spice—pepper and clove—against oak, cedar, and resin. A whisper of citrus zest threads through, with grainy sweetness and cocoa undertones forming a rich, inviting aroma.
Palate
Silky, full-bodied on the palate; layers of toffee and milk chocolate mingle with creamy malt and oats. Subtle rye spice releases cinnamon and clove, while vanilla-driven bourbon notes and toasted oak from Staffordshire casks impart a warm, caramel-rich core. A refined, lingering finish with gentle tannin and a touch of orchard-fruit brightness.
Finish
Long, warming finish with honeyed vanilla and caramel giving way to toasty oak, cocoa and a touch of rye. Virgin Staffordshire oak threads through the aftertaste with a refined tannic backbone, leaving a lingering kiss of dark chocolate, spice and subtle pepper that endures gracefully.
FAQs
View AllHow We Pack
Packed with Care
Every parcel that leaves HTFW has been packed with the utmost care, using our bespoke packaging. This ensures your purchases are safeguarded during transit.
Eco-friendly
We're committed to reducing our impact on the environment. All the packaging we use has been created using recycled materials.
Fast Delivery
For orders placed before 4:30pm (GMT), we offer same day dispatch from our warehouse. All orders are sent as priority shipping worldwide and are fully insured.