Bimber 10 - Kirsch Import 50th Anniversary - Whisky Review
Bimber 10-Year-Old Single Malt Review: Kirsch Import 50th Anniversary
Time for another dram!
Hitting a double-digit age statement is a massive milestone for any modern craft distillery, but for London’s Bimber Distillery, reaching a full decade of maturation shows just how far London/English whisky has come.
This special single malt bottling was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of German distributor Kirsch Import. While bottled to honour their milestone anniversary, an allocation has also been made available for enthusiasts here in the UK.
Matured for 10 years in an ex-bourbon cask and delivered at a punchy 57% ABV, it represents some of the oldest liquid to emerge from their West London site.
Here is my honest review of the release, full tasting notes, and how it performs neat versus with a drop of water.
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Bottle Specifications
Distillery: Bimber Distillery (London, UK)
Whisky Type: Single Malt English Whisky
Age Statement: 10 Years Old
Release: Bottled for Kirsch Import 50th Anniversary
Cask Type: Ex-Bourbon Cask
ABV: 57%
Chill Filtration: Non-chill filtered
Natural Colour: Yes
Tasting Notes
Time to try it!
Poured into the glass, it shows a warm, inviting colour sitting right in between a deep gold and a light amber, with rich natural clarity.
The Nose
Right away, the nose is fantastically fragrant and wonderfully perfumed. It goes well beyond standard bourbon wood vanilla—offering a thick, aromatic wave of rich caramel sweetness layered over vanilla custard. Despite sitting at 57% ABV, there is virtually zero harsh alcohol sting on the nose. It is remarkably elegant, sweet, and composed.
The Palate
Taking a sip neat, the palate is simply sublime. It arrives with a rich, phenomenal burst of dark forest fruits: think sweet, fully ripe blackberries, juicy blackcurrants, dark cherries, and plump sultanas and some roasted coffee. Beneath the dark fruit profile is a delicate honeyed sweetness and firm, toasted oak structure that never turns too bitter or overbearing.
The Finish
The finish sits on the medium-to-short side, but it makes a massive impression. It delivers an immediate explosion of dark fruit flavour that peaks and then dies down cleanly, leaving a lingering, delicate sweetness that sticks to the tongue. Because the finish resolves so cleanly, it is the kind of dram that tempts you to take sip after sip—a great quality, but one to watch out for at 57% ABV!
Neat vs With Water: How Does It Drink?
I already love how this dram behaves straight out of the bottle, but adding a tiny drop of water creates an interesting shift:
With Water: Just a tiny speck of water gives the mouthfeel a noticeably oilier, slicker texture across the tongue.
The ABV: It softens the alcohol warmth at the back of the palate slightly, though it doesn't drastically change the core flavour profile.
The Verdict: While a single drop of water adds some nice oiliness, this whisky is so well-integrated that you can comfortably drink it neat. At 57% ABV, the heat is completely in check, letting the perfumed nose and dark berries take centre stage.
Final Verdict
Bimber’s 10 Year Old for Kirsch Import is yet another delicious, brilliantly crafted whisky from the distillery. Hitting 10 years in ex-bourbon has given the spirit incredible depth—delivering deep caramel, roasted coffee, and ripe forest fruits without drowning out Bimber’s fruity house character.
Whether you pick up a bottle for the milestone or enjoy a pour neat in a tasting glass, it proves that Bimber’s spirit can hold up to longer maturation with flying colours.
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Have you tried any of Bimber’s older age statements, or do you have a favourite single cask from their releases? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I hope life is treating you well.
Take care
