Scapegrace Timbre Limited Release IV

Timbre IV is the only Limited Release matured in Bulgarian oak, setting it apart from the virgin French oak cask regime used across the rest of the range. It’s made in Central Otago, an inland region with big seasonal temperature swings and a dry climate, conditions that increase cask activity and make wood influence show clearly in the whisky’s structure.

Bulgarian oak sits within the European cooperage oak family, but the Balkan origin is often selected for the way it builds firmness and spice. Compared with American oak, it typically delivers less coconut and soft vanilla sweetness and more drying grip, peppery wood spice and a tighter finish. That comes down to a higher emphasis on ellagitannins, which contribute astringency and mouth drying structure, alongside toasted oak aromatics from lignin breakdown that skew toward clove and allspice rather than caramel sweetness.

In the glass, the profile lands more savoury and controlled, tightening through the mid palate and finishing with clear tannin definition rather than rounded sweetness. Bottled at 46% ABV, it keeps texture and aromatic lift while letting the oak driven structure stay the main feature.