We finally opened a cask! What began as a playful idea among friends has grown into a heartfelt project full of character: THE MALT KAUZ.

My friend Andy, who shares with me both a love for fine game meat and a passion for exceptional whisky, had long been working on the idea of creating our own whisky bottling for our enjoyment-focused customers. He was convinced that nature-loving hunters and whisky enthusiasts overlap significantly. 

When we were fatefully led to the stand of independent bottler Tilo Schnabel, known as THE CASKHOUND, at a whisky fair, it was love at first sight. Tilo is not only an expert in whisky maturation but also has access to an impressive collection of casks from distilleries across Scotland. With his guidance, we sampled numerous casks to find a whisky for our first bottling that would satisfy the discerning connoisseur while also appealing to newcomers who might be intimidated by a heavily peated Islay Scotch. 

Although smoke will likely play a role in future projects, we wanted to start the MALT KAUZ Collection with a multi-layered, fruity, and beginner-friendly single malt. We ultimately found it with Tilo and the Benrinnes distillery in Scotland’s Speyside region. This whisky spent the full ten-and-a-half years of its maturation in an Australian Shiraz red wine cask and is considered "fully matured."

This is a Single Cask bottling, meaning no different casks are blended together to create a uniform flavor profile, as is common with large distilleries. This Scotch carries solely the character of this single cask, making it a true individualist. The full maturation in a cask not previously used for whisky extraction ensures maximum aroma extraction from both the wood and the wine previously aged in it. The catch: there is only one cask. Once it’s empty, this whisky will not be bottled again, because even a similarly matured whisky from the same distillery will never taste exactly the same.

A Single Cask bottling is therefore always a fleeting experience—just like each moment in the hunt, which can never be repeated exactly. We embrace this, as it motivates us to search for the next cask. Who knows which four-legged hunting companion will appear on the next label…

Pure Whisky Enjoyment for hunting-veterans and newcomers

The bottlings in THE MALT KAUZ Collection are crafted to be genuine and sophisticated drinking whiskies. Artisanally made, full of character, and without unnecessary theatrics, they appeal both to whisky connoisseurs and curious newcomers. The drinking strength of 47.5% ABV ensures a rounded, full flavor that highlights complex aromas and depth without overwhelming. An ideal dram for relaxed enjoyment with friends or a peaceful end to an exciting day of hunting.

The spirit of THE MALT KAUZ is also reflected on the label: each bottling features a hand-drawn motif by Scottish artist Lana Mathieson, who captures scenes of nature and hunting with fine strokes. Stylish and slightly whimsical, these designs symbolize the connection between hunting passion, closeness to nature, and fine taste.

And just to preempt any complaints about choosing a Wirehaired Pointer instead of a Dachshund, Terrier, etc.: rest assured, it won’t stop at just one dog. :-)

Our Premiere Bottling with Character: Benrinnes 10 Years – First Fill Australian Red Wine Cask

A 10-year-old single malt from Benrinnes distillery opens THE MALT KAUZ series. This Single Cask bottling matured entirely in a First Fill Australian Red Wine Cask—a rare combination that gives the whisky an impressive balance of power, fruit, and depth. Benrinnes Distillery in the heart of Speyside is known for its powerful, multi-layered malts with spicy depth and malty richness. Maturation in the Australian red wine cask added rich notes of fruit and spice, fine tannins, and a velvety sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Nose: The first impression is like stepping into a forest on a warm summer day—spicy, with sandalwood and a hint of red wine. Notes of honey and a handful of ripe raspberries freshly picked at the forest edge. Tobacco leaves, hay, and dried flowers add further depth.

Palate: Soft and velvety, very full-bodied. Spices appear immediately, accompanied by winey notes and a slight, pleasant astringency—like the snap of a grape skin. This is followed by juicy apricot, dark berries, creamy toffee, and pipe tobacco; a touch of leather rounds it out warmly and earthily.

Finish: Long and warming, like the glow of embers at dusk. Cocoa powder and cinnamon linger, interspersed with oak spice and dried berries, finishing with pleasantly dry tannins.

Natural Cask Integrity

It’s important to know: our whisky is not chill-filtered, preserving all natural oils and fatty acids that give it depth, body, and creaminess. Whisky aged in red wine casks also absorbs fats, waxes, and lipids from the wine, which may form a fine film on the glass. These aromatic compounds come from the cask and are a crucial part of the whisky’s character. In the bottle, these oils may partially settle at cooler temperatures, forming slight haze or condensation—this is not a flaw but a sign of natural, unadulterated cask maturation. Industrially filtered whiskies remove these components to remain perfectly clear, losing part of their aroma and texture. If your whisky appears cloudy, simply bring the bottle to room temperature and swirl gently—it will clear completely.

Mandatory Information