Bimber has been really smart about their marketing. Almost a decade in and they still don’t have anything resembling a core range. (Or have I missed something?) They keep releasing limited edition after limited edition, many getting snapped up quick. Bimber’s Shoulders of Giants series is but one example.
This range pays tribute to some of the world’s greatest thinkers, innovators and visionaries. I’ve lost track of how many Bimber has released so far and I couldn’t be bothered to find out. Today we’ll take a look at four of them, but there have been many others as well.
I’ve tried to choose a varied representation of the Shoulders of Giants range. You know, in terms of cask types, not so much in terms of the people on the labels – which look great but don’t really matter in the end.
The Bimber Darwin is just a straight-forward ex-bourbon maturation. The Shakespeare release was finished in ex-barley wine casks from French brewery La Debauche. Then the Marlene matured in an ex-Oloroso cask made from Spanish oak. Finally, the Bimber Sax is from a Pedro Ximénez sherry cask.
Bimber ‘Darwin – The Naturalist’ (58.3%, OB ‘Shoulders of Giants’, C#376)
Nose: Opening up on hints of cinnamon buns, brioche and orange zest, as well as tropical notes. Think mango, papaya and tinned peaches. It really is remarkable how the fruits continue to develop.
Taste: High viscosity, oily. It’s what I’ve come to expect from Bimber. A trademark, so you will. Somewhat buttery with a hint if black pepper, but also vanilla foam blocks, powdered sugar and bright citrus notes. Just a soft herbaceous note underneath.
Finish: Medium to long. Pepper, aniseed. Slightly dry. Also a touch of bananas and some apple.
Bimber ‘Shakespeare – The Playwright’ (57.7%, OB ‘Shoulders of Giants’, C#517/30)
Nose: Pretty light and bright initially. Slivers of porridge and malt accompanied by candied lemons, apricots and peaches. Maybe a sliver of acacia honey too, as well as a slight bitterness and spearmint, almost a hoppy note. Might be the power of suggestion though. Ending things on a faint leather note.
Taste: A distinct maltiness, more so than on the nose. The bitterness is slightly enhanced as well. Should be the beer, I think. Also intense honey notes, as well as dark caramel and whole wheat bread. That’s quickly followed by a hit of coffee and a mint-y note.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of apple and cantaloupe, but also a touch of straw.
Bimber ‘Marlene – The Actress’ (58.1%, OB ‘Shoulders of Giants’, C#442)
Nose: There’s a strong sherry influence but its not all darkness and dried fruits. Slivers of charred pineapple, some pear skin and a touch of figs. Also a good amount of plums, caramel and some mocha, with just a touch of coffee powder.
Taste: A trademark oily mouthfeel with an immediate rancio note, as well as a pinch of pepper and some tobacco leaves. Then some dark chocolate, a sliver of spearmint and charred oak. Maybe even a touch of cough syrup.
Finish: Medium length. More coffee notes. Espresso-esque. A touch of leather and oak too.
Bimber ‘Sax – The Inventor’ (58.3%, OB ‘Shoulders of Giants’, C#437)
Nose: Hints of blackcurrants and prunes, as well as raisins and copper or brass. There’s a sweetness I can’t quite put a finger on. Slightly artificial. Then some chocolate and faint notes of tangy grapefruit.
Taste: Thick, viscous mouthfeel. Not just the spirit, but clearly the Pedro Ximènez too. Brown sugar, burnt caramel, dark chocolate and raisins. Then a muted spicy note alongside dates and figs.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of cinnamon, soft tannins and suddenly the spices aren’t very muted anymore.
Samples provided by Bimber
Photos: Master of Malt
