HAMMERHEAD 30 YO
HAMMERHEAD 30 YO
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Included in Clay Risen's 2020 book "The Impossible Collection of Whiskey: The 100 Most Exceptional and Collectible Bottles.” This extraordinary 30-year-old whisky is being released to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.
The Velvet Revolution was the non-violent transition of power in what was then Czechoslovakia, occurring from 17 November to 29 December 1989. This became the end of 41 years of one-party rule.Even though the barley was 100% Czech and the water used in production was from the Bohemia region, the biggest struggle was the peat that originated from the Czech region. At the time, it was almost impossible to find a peat of the desired quality, therefore a Scottish peat was imported with great effort during closed trade times.
PURE PROVENANCE - Whilst crafting Hammer Head, we use crystal clear water rich in iron and minerals from a Bohemian region, which positively influences the final liquid taste and overall experience in a way that only true whisky lovers will note.Much of the taste originates from our oak barrels, left to rest in a sleepy picturesque distillery. The stillness and fresh air in Pradlo, far away from the tumult of the city, enrich the flavour of Hammer Head.
DISTILLERS - Back in 1989, Vaclav Sitner was our Master Distiller. At that same time, Kristina Demelova worked alongside Vaclav to learn about his craftsmanship and expertise. Today, Kristina Demelova has proudly taken on the role of Master Distiller, always controlling the quality and the expression of Hammer Head whilst passionately guarding the knowledge of Czech single malt whisky production. That same passion runs through the family, as her father was the first Master Distiller for Hammer Head and the person who passed the knowledge to Vaclav.
Awards & Accolades
2020
91 Points, Whisky Advocate
2018
4.5/5 Points, The Whisky Wash
Bottle Tasting Notes
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: At the beginning there is a slight touch of dryness, which eventually turns into sweetness. Subtly liqueur-ish with faint hints of turpentine and noticeable fruit (pear), as well as herbal and floral perfume notes (jasmine). Mixing with water triggers wooden spices (nutmeg) and a flavour of leather, along with a dash of vanilla and a subtle nutty aroma.
Palate: Medium body, initially dry but with a very clear, sweetish aroma of barley. Syrupy and slightly citrusy and floral (jasmine), giving the impression of a herbal liqueur along with fresh tannic fruit (cherries and plums).
Mixing with water overwhelms the spices (anise, nutmeg) to release flavours of honeycomb with a touch of vanilla in the background, and roasted coffee.
Finish: Long and dry with hints of peppery spice (nutmeg). Herbal (jasmine) with a slight impression of tobacco and a trace of smoke and mint.
Impression: A pleasant and surprising Czech malt. Although the Czech oak barrels are made
of fresh wood, the effect is not dominant. Indeed, it is the cereal aromas of malted barley that dominate and there is a mild liqueur-ness along with wooden spices, anise and nutmeg. As for the nose, there is a very interesting floral, even perfume-like fragrance of jasmine. It is a very drinkable and balanced whisky of a distinctive “malty” character with some tiny indications of the Scottish Lowland style in a slight trace of smoke (Guaiacol from oak). After a long stay of 30 years in the barrels, it completely and unexpectedly surprises with freshness and vitality.
Distillery Story
A ONE-OF-A-KIND WHISKY STORY Travelling back well over 30 years, just before the historical moment when the Berlin Wall was torn down in 1989, a famous old distillery in Prádlo Czechoslovakia which had been producing high quality pot still spirits for many years, created a single malt whisky of unmatched taste and unparalleled quality. During the Cold War in the Soviet Union, where the preferred drink was vodka, a few high ranking compatriots had a taste for something different, better, perhaps extraordinary. They wanted whisky, but importing it from the west was impossible. Resourceful as they were, they made a plan that led them to a small distillery in Prádlo that dated back to 1928. Back then, this was the only distillery in the entire country of Czechoslovakia.
Even though the barley was 100% Czech and the water used in production was from the Bohemia region, the biggest struggle was the peat that originated from the Czech region. At the time, it was almost impossible to find a peat of the desired quality, therefore a Scottish peat was imported. In late 1989, the Wall was brought down and fortunately, the whisky fell into oblivion. Forsaken and forgotten, it was left to rest in the cellars in its uniquely hand−made Virgin Czech Oak Casks for 30 world changing years. When creating Hammer Head 30, only Czech barley and the crisp, clean water from the Bohemia region was used. The casks are made from 100% Czech oak wood to guarantee a unique single malt whisky that offers a pleasing aftertaste.