GORFH Whiskey Cask 1
Go Out Ride Find Happiness (GORFH) – that's the name of the three-years whiskey aged in pre-filled 600-liter White Burgundy oak casks at the Distillery in Merdingen. After a triple distillation of the corn-barley-mash and refinement in small, new 20-liter casks, the water of life was bottled and adorned with a label featuring a stag with magnificent antlers drinking from a spring. We had the privilege of tasting the first bottling from the first cask – Bottle number 24 out of a total of 56.
The panel
Mean 74.0 · spread 4
Value for money 3/5
- Distillery
- GORFH Merdingen
- Type
- Whiskey
- Country
- Germany
- Age
- 4 years
- Strength
- 43.5% ABV
- Character
- floral
Tasting
Nose
First and foremost, a highly floral-perfumed scent greets us. The notes evoke rose water, elderflower, and curry herb. Alongside that, there's a substantial dose of vanilla and a hint of caramel. Rounded off with grainy aromas that unequivocally lean towards cereals, not in the direction of bread. Overall, the nose is pleasantly fresh and floral but not herbaceous.
Palate
The floral theme of the nose subsides somewhat. We still find a flowery, but now more citrusy note on the palate. Vanilla and the freshness of the cask's oak join the ensemble. The experience is overall soft and surprisingly rounded for its young age. GORFH leaves a truly delightful grainy spiciness on the palate. The mouthfeel tends towards the creamy side, but the texture is not yet fully matured.
Finish
We will describe the finish in one word: mild. GORFH doesn't linger for long. The subtle spiciness on the palate echoes briefly and then transitions to a dry mouthfeel. Considering its young age, a vast array of flavors shouldn't be anticipated here.
Verdicts
Marcel
GORFH already shows a lot of character with its floral freshness and delicate vanilla note, but it still feels a bit like a young wild one that has yet to find its full maturity. For a first sip from the stag of Merdingen, however, it’s a truly likeable debut that makes you eager for more.
Sascha
The structure of GORFH is remarkably round and balanced for such a young whisky, with the fresh Pinot Blanc casks providing an interesting, albeit not yet fully developed, flavor complexity. The mouthfeel remains creamy, but it still lacks depth and lasting presence to fully convince over time.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.