Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Distillery in Wooler, Northumberland, is proud to unveil Tácnbora Limited Edition: Cognac Cask Finish, a special small-batch expression of its signature blended whisky. Launching on 14 June 2025, this limited-edition release deepens the story of Tácnbora, continuing its role as the distillery’s standard bearer. In Old English, Tácnbora means “standard bearer” – the ceremonial figure who walked ahead of Northumbria’s kings, leading royal processions with a symbolic banner. In the same way, Tácnbora leads the way for Ad Gefrin’s whisky journey, paving the path toward the distillery’s own Northumbrian Single Malt, which is now maturing on-site and anticipated for release in 2026.
Blended and finished in Northumberland, Tácnbora brings together selected Scottish and Irish whiskies, matured further in carefully chosen casks to reflect Ad Gefrin’s Northumbrian spirit. This latest edition has been finished for six months in ex-Cognac oak, layering richness, structure, and subtle spice onto the original’s honeyed profile. With only six casks bottled, the Cognac Cask Finish represents a limited run that offers a new perspective on this distinctive blend.
Bottled at cask strength (58.6% ABV), non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, the Cognac Cask Finish is full-flavoured and expressive. On the nose, it offers notes of honey, raisins, sandalwood, and sweet tobacco, balanced with clover and custard. The palate reveals layers of fudge, apricots, resin and warming spice, resolving into a long, honeyed finish with hints of gorse flower and freshly cut wood.
Ben Murphy, director of distilling, comments: “Our journey with casks continues to evolve and excite. The Cognac finish adds a dry fruit character and gentle spice that enhances the signature sweetness of Tácnbora. It’s a wonderful example of how different casks can elevate a whisky while still retaining its heart.”
As a limited numbered run, the Cognac casks will yield just 1,800 to 2,000 bottles for release. As ever, first access will be granted to members of Corenkyn and Corengyst, Ad Gefrin’s founding and annual membership communities. For those eager to acquire a low numbered bottle, it is possible to sign up for membership to access the early-bird pre-order benefits from 7th and 11th June respectively.
This latest edition follows the sell-out success of Tácnbora Peated Islay Cask, released in October 2023. Limited to just 1,629 bottles, it sold out by January 2024, confirming the strong appetite for Ad Gefrin’s small-batch cask finishes. The Cognac Cask Finish is expected to attract similar interest; elegant yet approachable, it offers richness and balance in every sip. Alongside these special editions, Ad Gefrin continues to build its Corenkyn Blends programme – a four-part series of whiskies crafted exclusively for founding members. One release is given each year for four years to form a suite, beginning with the original Corenkyn Blend aged in ex-Bourbon casks (2023), followed by an ex-Rum Cask finish (2024), and the latest in an ex-Madeira Cask finish released in March 2025. Together, these member-exclusive blends trace a path of tradition, wood, and story.
With this latest release, Tácnbora continues to carry the standard forward, rooted in belonging, crafted with purpose, and paving the way for the first Ad Gefrin Single Malt.
