2018 Berry Bros. & Rudd Agitator, Cask Ref. 741, Single Malt Whisky, Sweden (57.7%)
About this SPIRIT
Agitator Whisky
Stockholm’s Agitator Distillery is a pioneering and innovative force in the world of spirits production. Under the visionary leadership of Oskar Bruno, this distillery has made a name for itself by daring to explore new horizons and challenge conventional norms in the distillation industry.
One of the standout features that sets Agitator apart from its peers is its adoption of vacuum distillation. Unlike traditional distillation methods, which occur at atmospheric pressure, vacuum distillation occurs in a controlled, lower-pressure environment. This novel approach allows Agitator to extract and preserve delicate flavours and aromas from the raw ingredients in a way that conventional distillation often cannot achieve. As a result, their spirits exhibit a level of subtlety and complexity that captivates the palates of discerning enthusiasts.
What truly distinguishes Agitator is its unrelenting spirit of experimentation. Within the distillery’s creative confines, Oskar Bruno and his team embark on a continuous journey of discovery. They explore a multitude of variables, from different yeast strains that impart unique flavour nuances to various barley varieties, each contributing its distinct character to the final product. Moreover, Agitator doesn’t stop at the raw ingredients; they also delve into the intricacies of wood ageing, seeking to perfect the art of maturation. This ceaseless experimentation is the lifeblood of Agitators, enabling them to craft a diverse range of spirits that are nothing short of extraordinary.
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
Few distilleries push production boundaries like Stockholm’s Agitator. Led by Oskar Bruno, the distillery offers vacuum distillation and endless experimentations with yeast, barley and wood. Energy efficiency is equal to quality in their mindset, making this one of Europe’s greenest distilleries.
Produced with 40ppm barley and fermented with a Saison yeast, this is a feast for the senses. The nose is immensely complex with notes of dried mushrooms, forest floor and peat smoke. It is all wonderfully umami.
The palate brings notes of new leather, pink wafer biscuits and garden bonfire with a pleasing coastal backbone. Smoke and dried fruit linger on the stunning palate. This is idiosyncratic brilliance, distilled by either a madman or a genius.
Jonny McMillan, Reserve Whisky Manager, Berry Bros. & Rudd (2023)
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