He has already done so many things, this Ortner. Fruit brandies, cigar and coffee distillates, a fascinating glass design, the cigar cutter WOB-Varios and many other design pieces. But what makes the „Man from the Nock-Land“ emulate the Scottish and Irish national drink now? Isn’t the world already in danger of drowning in better or worse whisk(e)ys from Japan to America? As all distillates from the Bad Kleinkirchheim-based distillery, this Single-Malt also bears the unmistakable hallmark of the master distiller. With the „NLW“ Wolfram Ortner has opened up a completely independent path. That is why this product will certainly find its enthusiasts among whisky friends who are looking for something out of the ordinary.

As all distillates from the Bad Kleinkirchheim-based distillery, this Single Malt also bears the unmistakable hallmark of the master distiller. With the „NLW“ he is continuing along his independent path. That is why this product will certainly find its enthusiasts among whisky friends who are looking for something out of the ordinary. Everything started as early as 1996 with the distillation of bock beer and the three-year storage in barriques. The first authentic NLW – the „Vergin“ – was put on the market in 2002. Time to look back: from the hour of birth up to the marriage of the Single Malt to fruit brandies under the brand „Mariage“.

In order to distill grain some technical alterations had to be carried out at the „Chateau de Brandy“. The fermenting tanks had to be adapted for thermal hydrolyzation to achieve constant mash temperatures of more than 60° Celsius and allow to cool down the tanks as fast as possible to a fermentation temperature of 25° Celsius afterwards. While hydrolyzing the kiln-dried barley malt is finely ground and mixed with clear water. In the fermenting tank grain starch is converted into sugar and then fermented and distilled off after maximum three days in electronically controlled stainless steel tanks since grain is very susceptible to infections. Compared with the „normal“ whisky production, where the grain is leached severals times with hot water, the entire grain including the draff is fermented at WOB‘s in order to capture the full character of the malt in the distillate.

We distill in an electronically controlled high-tech distillery with water bath; between the copper still and the fireplace there is a water jacket which allows a particularly careful distillation. Grappa and whisky are produced in stills with direct heating. As with any fine fruit brandy, Mr. Ortner observes the strictest principles and exact separation between the light and heavy ends with grain too. Traditional whisky, for example, has an alcohol yield of 30% - Ortner gains only 20% alcohol with the same quantity. It is simply an edge in quality if one has learned how to distill such delicate fruits as raspberries etc. – and the passion for perfection.

Whisky is allowed to be sold only if it has been aged for three years in oak casks, traditionally second-hand Sherry or Bourbon casks. In order to produce vintage whiskys, Mr. Ortner has built a barrique cellar „out of thin air“. With the division into a dry reduction area and a moist ageing cellar whose „soul“ is a sprinkled monolith in a water basin, he has opened up an entirely new path. The range of woods comprises Limousin, Allier, Nevers, Vosges and American oak. Second-hand casks are not used (certainly not Sherry casks) in order to prevent sugar from indirectly permeating the distillate. Nothing but new barriques are produced according to his personal ideas where thousands of litres of „Nocky Mountains Whisky“ can age.

Following the WOB philosophy, this Single Malt is produced without adding sugar or flavourings. The use of (peated) smoked malt would amount to flavouring! The cask samples already give you an idea of a completely new and genuine whisky experience. Since water plays an important part in the production and Mr. Ortner is fortunate to live in the heart of the national perk region ‚Nockberge’ (Nock Mountains) – and Bad Kleinkirchheim is also known for the curative effect of its thermal water, NLW can be described as especially aromatic and delicious „medicine“ or „eau de vie“.

During the ageing in a perfect environment the distillate is reduced to a drinking strength of approx. 48% before it is bottled and sold. The long and careful process of watering down the distillate guarantees an optimum blend of alcohol, aroma and extract. Whisky friends, coffee lovers, aficionados and „snifflers“ will probably regard the Nock-Land Whisky as a new whisky for special days and occasions.

The Wedding of the Year – WOB Mariage 010

WOB Mariage

In the year 2005 Wolfram Ortner started a new product line under the name „WOB Mariage“ which was supposed to breathe new life into the spirits scene – with the marrying of select delicacies out of two cultures. The present „bridle couple“ is a cuvée of whisky and plum brandy.

Never at loss for innovative ideas, the real whizz-kid from Bad Kleinkirchheim had a new recipe for success for a happy „spiritual“ marriage up his sleave: the powerful single malt from Nock-Land found an attractive companion in the fruity distillate made from Gamlitz plums. Opposites attract, for this blend – a 100% distillate with 46% vol. alcohol – appears as exciting as well-rounded.

With the right temperature and in the appropriate glass the „Mariage“ first presents an artful, juicy and fine bitter almond fruitiness of the plums in its fragrance. This is supported by the lush and malty aromas of the single malt. The elegantly integrated wood supports the complex flavour of the cuvée with the necessary tightness and structure. When tasting it a little patience is definitely worthwhile because together with air a fine smoky and roasty spiciness will unfold with a subtle fruity sweetness in the background. In the lively interplay of the typical fresh fruitiness, pleasantly malty spiciness and perfectly integrated wood, this „Mariage“ cuts a fine figure with local specialities and convinces us as an harmonious accompaniment with coffee and cigars. „WOB Mariage 010“ was bottled in a limited edition of only 210 bottles and can be purchased for 65.00 euros (0.5 l)(www.wob-shop.com).

NLW Single Malt double matured

The latest opus from the Nock-Land manufacture, the NLW 2000, was aged a second time in Limousin barriques after „growing up“. Namely according to the American model in burnt-out casks where the single malt was allowed to develop to its aromatic climax for another six years.

The redesign of the Nock-Land Whisky

After more than 15 years time has come to tweak the design a little and let it shine in new splendour – and all of that now packed up on its own website „because HE and IT are so good“. The NLW can be found and naturally ordered as well at nock-land-whisky.com or nockland-whisky.com.

The Wolfram Ortner Distillery

WOB stands for quality and craftsmanship. The slogan „authentic design“ therefore also applies to the „World of Whiskys“since all the processes on the long way to the ready-to-sell product always revolve around man. Whisky lovers, coffee conoisseurs, aficionados and „sniffers“ should find a new whisky for special days and events with the WOB DÖ Malt from Nock-Land. Typical WOB is as usual the extravagent appearance: fine feathers make fine birds – this also applies to the design of the bottle and lable.

The Whisky in Pin Stripe – now in a noble Cigar Box

There was once a fantastic Dominican cigar, the CIGAR DÖ WOB, presented in a noble cigar box . . . The Nock Land Whisky XV provides for the resurrection of the CDW: stylish cigar boxes as elegant packaging for two small gentlemen in pin stripe.

The posh duo – 200 ml each Single Malt and Single Malt Double Matured – is reserved for aficionados and friends of refined taste. Available only in this packaging unit (Corona, Double Corona, Torpedo and Robusto boxes) in a limited edition at the WOB Shop or at www.wob.at

Information & Orders

Destillerie Wolfram Ortner, authentic design
Untertscherner Weg 3, 9546 Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria
Tel. 04240/760, Fax 04240/760-50
E-Mail: info@wob.at
www.wob.at