Dewar’s debuts ‘first’ stone-toasted whisky

Bacardi-owned Scotch brand Dewar's has unveiled a 21-year-old blend finished in casks that have been toasted with hot Icelandic magma stones.

The experimental toasting method uses a rotating metal cylinder inside the cask to slowly toast the barrel's wooden surface and open the oak's pores. The heat for the process is radiated by Icelandic magma rock inside the vessel. According to Dewar's, unlike traditional fire toasting, which relies on open flames, the method ensures uniform heat distribution across barrels, eliminating flare-ups that can cause inconsistent toast levels from cask to cask. The use of stone-toasting in creating Dewar's Double Double 21-year-old Magma Stone Toasted aims to introduce an 'innovative' cask-finishing technique for whisky maturation. Stephanie Macleod, master blender of Dewar's, said: "Our motivation is always to aspire to make ever greater whisky. Curiosity and experimentation allow us to respond to the present and future desires of whisky lovers, and the Magma Stone Toasted expression embodies this philosophy, as we believe we are the first whisky to use this technique. "We are always looking to push the boundaries and find new ways to do things, and this new finishing process has unlocked an entirely new spectrum of flavour for Scotch." For the new release, the method is used to toast virgin French oak casks to finish the whisky. The resulting expression displays notes of 'cinnamon, cloves, creamy caramel, and baked apples, complemented by toasted cereal and refined oak'. The 21-year-old is the latest addition to the brand's Double Double series, which also includes a whisky finished in Japanese mizunara casks. Brian Cox, vice-president of Dewar's North America, commented: "This expression is more than just a new finish – it's a celebration of craftsmanship, discovery, and the evolving art of cask maturation. "By introducing something new and different to the category, we're offering whisky lovers and newcomers alike a new way to experience the depth and refinement of Dewar's, inviting them to discover rich layers of flavour shaped by time, tradition, and experimentation." Dewar's Double Double 21-year-old Magma Stone Toasted is offered at 46% ABV in 750ml bottles. The limited release is available in the US market with a suggested retail price of US$139.99.