Berry Bros adds to Sense of Place collection

London-based wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has unveiled the second part of its A Sense of Place whisky collection: Coast & Shores.

Coasts & Shores includes 25 bottlings from 12 distilleries, showcasing a curated selection of whiskies from renowned coastal distilleries worldwide. The collection expands on the ‘Glens & Valleys’ selection released earlier this year, inspired by Scotland’s rolling landscapes. For Coasts & Shores, the bottlings celebrate the distinctive flavour characteristics imparted on whisky by coastal climates, including the island of Islay, famed for its smoky and peaty profiles. Marking the return of one of Berry Bros' favourite Swedish distilleries, a bottling from Smögen Distillery is said to offer a 'unique' Scandinavian coastal smoke with hints of brine and a touch of minerality. The collection also includes a whisky from Japanese Sakurao Distillery, which Berry Bros is bottling for the first time. Sakurao is nestled in the coastal town of Hatsukaichi, Japan, near the World Heritage-listed island of Miyajima. The single cask bottling was distilled and matured at the distillery on the shores of Hiroshima Bay. Felix Dear, spirits curator at Berry Bros & Rudd, said: “Coastal environments play an important role in shaping the flavour of some of the world's most celebrated whiskies. The unique conditions, salty air and proximity to the sea impart flavour profiles that set these spirits apart with unique maritime characteristics. "Our 2024 Coasts & Shores collection explores these influences, offering a diverse range of expressions that capture the essence of each distillery.” Other bottlings in the collection include Moscatel cask-finished Caol Ila, Barolo-finished Dalmore and Williamson Islay whisky finished in oloroso Sherry cask. All expressions are offered at cask strength and retail between £70-£225 (US$91-$292). The Coasts & Shores collection's 25 bottlings are divided into specific markets, with some only available in the UK, international markets, or exclusively from Berry Bros & Rudd's website. The company's website provides more information about the bottlings. This year, Berry Bros & Rudd opened its new spirits shop in London. The company also unveiled its spring 2024 collection and reported 42% year-on-year revenue growth for spirits.