In the race to charm both the collector and the cocktail crowd, distilleries are trying just about everything short of aging whisky in lava. But Ad Gefrin, the Northumberland-based distillery tucked inside an Anglo-Saxon museum (because of course it is), is doing something refreshingly old-school: making heritage feel exciting.
Tácnbora Limited Edition
Its latest release, the Tácnbora Limited Edition: Cognac Cask Finish, is exactly what it sounds like—a cask strength blend (58.6% ABV, not for amateurs) finished for six months in ex-Cognac oak. The result? A whisky with a surprisingly French accent that doesn’t forget it was born in the north of England.
The name Tácnbora (Old English for “standard bearer,” in case your medieval linguistics is rusty) isn’t just a historical flex. It’s also the through-line for Ad Gefrin’s growing whisky story, one that leads to their first Single Malt release next year. But for now, we’re left with just 1,800 to 2,000 bottles of this Cognac-finished expression—and yes, there’s already a membership list if you’re the type who likes bottle #1.
Expect honey, raisin, and sandalwood on the nose; apricots and fudge on the palate; and a finish that’s basically your countryside dreamscape in flavour form: gorse flowers and freshly cut wood. It's giving Game of Thrones, but with a better aftertaste.
Is it niche? Definitely. Is it indulgent? Of course. But that’s the point. With this release, Ad Gefrin isn’t just making whisky—they’re making a moment. You can purchase your bottle here.
