Bearface Canadian Whisky is debuting a new whisky today, Matsutake 01, a limited-edition whisky that has been infused with wild Matsatake (pine) mushrooms. Yes, mushrooms.
Bearface is known for taking on a bit of the Canadian environment in its whisky, specifically through elementally aging its whisky. The brand’s hand-selected casks are matured inside repurposed shipping containers which are exposed to the elements in the Canadian wilderness. That wilderness can have some rather extreme temperatures ranging from freezing zero-degree cold to 100-degree heat, which amplifies how the whisky and wood interact and gives the whisky a distinctive flavor.
That brings us to the mushrooms. The Matsutake mushrooms used during the aging process give the whisky a unique umami finish. To make the whisky, fresh, foraged wild mushrooms and dried matsutake mushrooms are cask-infused for two months in high-proof vintage Bearface.
Matsutake 01 is the first in the brand’s Wilderness Series and is a “trilogy blend” of French Oak, Sherry Pipes, and Casked Matsutake.
Beyond the matsutake cask, whisky spends 6 months in hand-selected Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Virgin French oak casks, which gives the whisky a freshness and brightness along with delicious density and structure and it’s also matured in a three-cask blend of Pedro Ximenez, Cream and Amontillado sherry casks for a deep, unique expression with body and layered complexity.
“This Matsutake expression has been a long time in the making,” says Master Blender, Andrés Faustinelli. “With each new limited release, we strive to shatter category norms and challenge traditions. I know Bearface Matsutake does just that. As seen with the latest spirits trends – umami flavors are in. The Matsutake mushroom grows once a year in the Canadian wilderness making it highly covetable and rare and brings a sophistication to this bottle unlike any other whisky.”
The whisky is complex and layered with savory and cinnamon notes, followed by wild, earthy warmness and umami finish with subtle flavors from the fresh forest floor.
Bearface Matsutake Whisky presents at 42.5% ABV and the new release is available now at select retailers in CA/CO/FL/IL/IN/NY/TN/TX/WA at SRP $44.99 for 750ml.