The mastermind behind Fast Forward Finishing, Dolf, had two options at the remarkable age of 72. He could either accept the status quo and purchase a whisky distillery with a likelihood of not being able to sample his first own matured products, or he could innovate. And innovation is part of his DNA.

Dolf’s passion for whisky and persistence to solve the seemingly impossible challenge to improve a process steeped in hundreds of years of tradition led to the birth of a new invention. For him the solution was in the time-consuming maturation process which mainly serves to extract unwanted aromas whilst also adding flavours into the liquid such as whisky lactones, vanillin or guajacol.

Despite the initial scepticism, the openness of Langatun Distillery’s CEO Chris Lauper led to first joint trials and ultimately the ennoblement of whiskies and other spirits such as rum and gin.

So, after all, at the impressive age of over 75 the Austrian mastermind has successfully preserved tradition whilst re-innovating in a field where others would have not even attempted entering. However, Dolf is not resting on his laurels but is still constantly experimenting and further developing his unique method to ennoble spirits.