Easy Ryder whisky by the Oxford Artisan Distillery

The Oxford Artisan Distillery has come up with its seventh batch of rye whisky named Easy Ryder. Easy Ryder comes across as a marriage of nine specially selected casks chosen by Master Distiller, Francisco Rosa to achieve a smooth yet intricate ride through The Oxford Artisan Distillery’s district heritage grains and distilling practices.

As with all of the Oxford’s Rye releases, the distillery produced this whisky using heritage grains grown by the distillery’s regenerative and organic farming partners. These grains require no pesticide, fungicide or herbicide; supporting sustainability and biodiversity in their fields.

Each cask selected for this expression has been through a different journey, from the starting point at the cooperage, to its size, the filling strength, its age and the warehouse in which it rested. After three to four years of maturation the new make flavours have diverged in to nine different spirits; all with something in common. This blend of ryes showcases all these harmonies coming together, elevating the complexity and nuances of each cask.

From the American oak of varying toasts, chars and origins to the Moscatel Roxo cask, together with the grain and distillery character as the backbone, the oak complexity merges with the sweet and fresh flavours from the Portuguese Moscatel fortified wine cask from Setúbal. The result is a whisky which is creamy with notes of pastry, chocolate, refreshing spice and a pronounced savoury character.

Bottled at 50 percent ABV, Easy Ryder is priced at £55 for 70cl and is the distillery’s largest run so far, with 2,782 bottles now available through the distillery’s website and specialist whisky retailers.