Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky "Master Distiller Edition IV

The "Master Distiller Edition IV" of the Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky is available as of today. This edition carries a double name in that it is also the "Master Distiller Tropenhaus Edition I". The exclusive bottling is offered in only 284 bottles.

Whisky has been distilled at Rugen in Interlaken since 1999. With the installation of the two pot stills above the brewhouse in 2010, the Rugen Distillery is one of the largest whisky distilleries in Switzerland.

Rugenbräu AG and the Tropical House Frutigen have a longstanding partnership. This gave rise to the idea of creating a joint whisky: In 2018, three barrels filled with Swiss Mountain Single Malt Whisky were stored in the tropical garden of the Tropenhaus Frutigen. The tropical climate with the high humidity and a temperature of around 23°C lead to a much faster maturation of the whisky as well as a full to lush aroma. Now the first barrel has been bottled to the Master Distiller Edition. The "Master Distiller Edition IV" or "Master Distiller Tropical House Edition I" is available in a volume of 284 bottles of 70cl each.

Tropical development

Distiller Ludwig Stranzky was responsible for this edition. He describes the whisky as follows: "The maturation has taken place in Malbec Colomé red wine casks, which has given the whisky aromas of subtle caramel, dark chocolate as well as oak notes." The whisky impresses with its particularly voluminous body.

"It is an honor for us to see a whisky mature in our tropical garden," describes Nicolas Buchmann, CEO Tropenhaus Frutigen. Remo Kobluk, CEO Rugenbräu AG, is equally pleased: "A Master Distiller Edition is a highlight for any distillery. The fact that we can offer a rarity from the Bernese Oberland tropics here tops the product once again."

For the Master Distiller of the Rugen Distillery, Philip Zollner, the focus is on the previous and further development: "The whisky launched today nicely demonstrates the valuable influence of the tropical climate with its high humidity and temperature on the maturation. A whisky with 3-4 years shows a maturation of a 12-16 year old whisky. Now we are excited to see how the whisky develops in the remaining two barrels and look forward to more tropical house editions."

"Master Distiller Edition IV" - complex to lush.

Produced entirely in the Bernese Oberland, like all Rugen Distillery spirits, Master Distiller Edition IV was distilled using the pot still method. The whiskey is offered at cask strength, unfiltered, natural and untreated.

The Tropical House Edition has an amber color with light copper-red nuances. On the nose, it captivates with its full, vinous floral harmonious aroma, paired with ripe dark fruits, completed with a spicy bouquet. On the palate, the lush, intense attack is followed by a mineral and long-lasting play of dryness and sweetness at the same time.