Holyrood Distillery has launched an innovative new series of single malt whiskies, named the ‘Re-Rack Series,’ designed to highlight its experimental approach to spirit production.
The first release, Re-Rack #1, marks a departure from traditional maturation techniques, focusing on the impact of transferring whisky between different cask types.
Rather than traditional finishing or double maturation, the “re-racking” process involves simply moving the whisky to a second cask to impart new characteristics.
“We’re kicking 2025 off with a belter of a whisky,” said distillery manager Calum Rae. “Re-Rack #1 is the first in an exciting new series which lets us play with different casks and explore maturation in a way we haven’t done before. Quite often we’re known for experimenting with yeasts in our single malts, but this series is all about the casks.”
Re-Rack #1 began with a light and neutral spirit produced using Distiller Yeast DY502, known for its subtly fruity and cereal-like qualities. After initial maturation in a first-fill bourbon cask, the whisky was transferred to a rum barrique.
A total of 227 bottles of Re-Rack #1 are available for purchase through Holyrood’s online store and specialist whisky retailers. Bottled at 59.7% ABV, it has an RSP of £75.
Founded in 2019, Holyrood Distillery released its inaugural single malt, Arrival, in October 2023. This marked a significant milestone as one of the first single malt whiskies produced in Edinburgh in a century.
