The London Distillery Company has announced the release of its second single malt whisky: Embarque, a sherry-led expression that honours London’s historic docks and the centuries-old trade routes which brought casks from Spain’s bodegas to the city’s bustling maritime hub.
When the London Dock in Wapping opened in 1805, it quickly became synonymous with luxury imports. Its vast warehouses, underground wine vaults, and specialist facilities once stored thousands of casks at a time – including sherry from Jerez. By the 1850s, exports from Spain had surged beyond 30,000 casks annually, shaping not only London’s economy but also whisky maturation itself. Empty sherry casks, repurposed by merchants, would go on to transform the flavour and ageing of Scotch whisky.
Embarque carries this tradition forward. Matured first in refill barrels and then finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks from Bodegas Barbadillo, the whisky layers rich dried fruits, nuts, and spice over TLDC’s signature grain-led spirit. Bottled at natural strength, it pays homage to both Spanish coopering and London craftsmanship.
“Embarque represents a deliberate step in how we’re building TLDC’s whisky profile,” explains Matt McKay, Managing Director & Whisky Maker. “The refill casks preserved the clarity of our heritage grain spirit, while the finishing in Barbadillo oloroso casks added structure, weight, and oxidative richness. This release embodies our commitment to precision cask management and respect for the traditions that shaped London whisky-making.”
The release arrives on Friday 3rd October, priced at £89.95, available via The London Distillery Company’s website. Whisky fans attending The Whisky Show (3rd–5th October) will be the first to sample Embarque and purchase bottles on-site.
Earlier this year, TLDC marked its revival with Renascence – The Revival Release, a 410-bottle edition made from Plumage Archer heritage barley. That inaugural release sold out in under 24 hours.
