Emperors Way Frederick II - Amarone Hogsheads & Marsala Casks Finish (Hercynian Distilling)

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 57.1% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Frederick II is a peated single malt distilled between 2016 and 2018. The whisky initially matured in Amarone hogsheads before receiving a finish in Marsala casks. Bottled in 2026, the edition comprises 1,220 bottles of 0.7 litres each and was released at its natural cask strength of 57.1%. It is neither coloured nor chill-filtered and comes in a wooden box.

Frederick II combines cherries, plums, grapes and raisins with spices, dark chocolate and a mild coffee note. Peat smoke runs through the profile, meeting dry, peppery spice and delicate fruit sweetness in the finish.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose reveals intense cherry notes, raisins and spices; pleasant smoke accompanies the fruit aromas.
• Palate: The whisky is powerful and dry on the palate. Spices and sweet cherries, plums and grapes combine with peat smoke and dark chocolate.
• Finish: The finish brings together dry smoke and peppery spice with the gentle bitterness of mild coffee, balanced by delicate fruit sweetness.

Distillery/Bottler:

Hercynian Distilling Co. produced the whisky and released Frederick II as its own distillery bottling. The whiskies are bottled by hand at the company’s own premises. The distillery uses malted barley for its single malts and distils twice in small, wood-fired pot stills; for Emperor’s Way, the second cut point is 60%.

The company has been filling whisky casks with its own new make since 2002. Emperor’s Way is the most powerful style in its range. It takes its name from the Kaiserweg, the route once followed by medieval rulers through the Harz landscape, a region shaped by raised bogs and peat.

Facts: