Type: Single malt whisky
Origin: Sweden
ABV: 46.1%
Malt Mileage rating: 
Reaction: 
Continue reading “Mackmyra Ten Years Swedish Single Malt Whisky”
Category: Swedish whisky
Mackmyra Midnattssol (Birch Sap Finish) Swedish whisky
Mackmyra Midnattssol is a limited edition release by Sweden’s Mackmyra distillery. It is aged in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks, and casks made from both American and Swedish oak. It is then finished in casks that previously held birch sap wine.
What is birch sap wine? Let me explain.
Continue reading “Mackmyra Midnattssol (Birch Sap Finish) Swedish whisky”
Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 3 Phecda
Rating: ★★★★
Type: Single malt
Origin: Sweden
ABV: 45%
Reaction: 😀
Price: Approx. £90
Oak: Matured in American white chinkapin oak from Missouri and French Oak from Alliers
Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 3 Phecda is the third release in a series of whiskies produced by the Swedish distillery Spirit of Hven. As with the releases that came before it, the Phecda takes its name from the stars above; the Phecda being a star in the asterism (pattern of stars) Ursa Major. Phecda is described as being somewhat hotter and larger than the sun around which our planet circles.
The whisky itself is a medium peated malt which is crafted, from barley to bottle, by the family owned Spirit of Hven on the island of Hven in Sweden. After the wash (similar to beer without hops) is distilled, the spirit is placed in barrels made from Quercus Muehlenbergii (American white oak known as chinkapin oak) from Missouri and Quercus Petraea (French oak) from Allier. Over the course of whisky’s maturation, during which the spirit soaks up flavours from the oak, the oak seems to have infused the whisky with some very distinct aromas and flavours; the most interesting of which are a fiery spice and a winy base note of fortified wine and brandy over which floats a thin smokiness.
Nose:
Soft waves of vanilla are immediately noticeable, and the bouquet quickly develops into Panettone soaked in brandy and a dash of Sambuca, ground coffee, tobacco, new leather, stewed dark berries, banana, fragrant woodsmoke, scorching charcoals and peppermint Fisherman’s Friend.
Taste:
The taste of fortified wine is followed by a fiery spice, which is peppery with a mildly burning jalapeño bite, dark chocolate, tobacco and pencil shavings. The peat is there, but it tastes more of tobacco. As the burning spice recedes, the fortified wine morphs into young style “hot” brandy, similar to Spanish brandy matured in sherry casks. There is the constant taste of rock salt underlying the winy sweetness, and an oily film coats the tongue and emits flavours of butter and caramel.
Finish:
The finish is somewhat smoky, with the aftertaste of prunes, sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry interwoven with more drier fortified wine, brandy filled chocolates and the faint kiss of lapsang souchong. Oily and buttery undertones linger on the base of the tongue, with salted caramel and coffee lollies.
Match with:
This whisky pairs impeccably with a fine mild-medium cigar, such as a Macanudo Estate Reserve or a Romeo y Julieta No 1; cigars that seem to appeal to the mass market for their smoothness, which ensures they will not dominate over the malt. This whisky was also delicious with chocolate, especially coffee or hazelnut truffles, and spicy cured meats.
Bottom line:
Buy it, if you enjoy a spicy whisky with a fortified wine/brandy base note and mild undertones of peat that resemble tobacco. Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 3 Phecda is a creative and balanced malt, with a mouthwatering kick of flavour. It is also smooth and quaffable, and coincidentally the perfect accompaniment for a night of star gazing. Bra gjort Spirit of Hven! Bra gjort.
Spirit of Hven Sankt Claus (Cask 11-222)
Rating: ★★★★
Origin: Sweden
Type: Single malt
ABV: 53.2%
On a piping hot 42°C summer day in Melbourne, a brown paper package arrived at my desk. It was torn and half opened, clear evidence of a long trip. The package was marked with Swedish writing and peeking outside its tears was a deep ruby red whisky, Spirit of Hven’s Sankt Claus. What a contrast, from ice cold Sweden to sun burnt Australia.
Spirit of Hven Sankt Claus, as the name suggests, pays homage to Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of a number of groups including sailors, fishermen and, perhaps most appropriately, brewers. He also had a reputation for secret gift giving by leaving coins in the shoes of people, and he therefore became the inspiration for the big bellied white bearded jolly man we call Santa Claus. Spirit of Hven Sankt Claus is intended to “”bring the most joy and (de)light to the winter darkness”, but having just enjoyed some of it on a few bright and very hot Australian days the whisky also inadvertently brings this festive cheer to snow-less lands as well. Even ones that reach 42°C over the holiday period, such as my home city in Australia.
Sank Claus is made from Pale Ale malt and peated malt (48ppm) and fermented for 120 hours, during which the Cerevisiae and Bayanus yeast converted the sugars in the wort into alcohol. Once the wort was fermented, the wash was distilled and a generous heart was collected from the spirits run which it can be assumed included a bit of tails to give the whisky some tasty congeners. Once distilled, the spirit was matured in air dried French Allier oak which had previously contained Merlot.
Nose:
Stewed berry fruits are first noticeable, with rhubarb, strawberry yogurt and panetone. Undertones of sourdough and olive bread sit beneath the fruit with balsamic, star anise and cinnamon.
Palate:
On the palate the whisky is potent, warming and drying. The barley is rigid and bold, and the flavours of the whisky are integrated and balanced – find raw sourdough, heavy red wine notes, sweet red candy, red berries (especially cranberry), cinnamon, dark chocolate, sweet vinegar,, ginger bread and crushed nuts.
Finish:
The finish offers mild creaminess, with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, cooked berries, balsamic glazed beetroot, pepper and wisps of smoke. It is somewhat drying and vapourous, again expressing red wine astringency combined with barley.
Bottom line:
Buy it, if tis’ the season to be jolly. Find a plethora of all things as red as Rudolph’s nose in the whisky – red fruits, red wine, red candy, red berries, and even a dash of eggnog (an eggy nutmeg note, if you pay close attention). Granted, the nose does present with some aromas that indicate the whisky would have benefited from more time in oak but the Christmas flavours really come through on the palate such that any more time in oak may have altered the festive theme in this dram. This is a potent, rich, drying yet sweet whisky that is absolutely perfect to drink during the festive season. The maturation of this whisky in Merlot barrels certainly gives it a unique flavour profile, and the people at Spirit of Hven have done a superb job selecting this cask of their “Sankt Claus” expression (which is intended to have a Christmas theme). With each sip, I can hear the jingle bells a’ ringing.
Mackmyra Misdattssol
Score: 93/100
ABV: 46.1%
Origin: Sweden
Mackmyra Midnattssol is a limited edition Swedish whisky that has been crafted, its makers say, for bright summer nights. It is matured in sherry casks, bourbon casks and casks made from Swedish and American oak, but the ingenuity of this whisky comes from the fact that it is finished in casks that previously held wine made from birch sap. Yes, birch sap.
As winter draws closer to spring, deciduous trees that have stored sugar in their roots begin to move sugar upwards in their sap. The maple and birch are two trees that produce an edible sap in plentiful supply, so when these trees begin brimming with sap as winter warms people extract that sap and do many wonderful things with it. One of those things is to produce wine, with some help from some good natured yeast which converts all that lovely sugar into even more lovely alcohol. Mackmyra had the idea to finish its whisky in casks that have held birch sap wine to infuse its whisky with the distinctive flavours and aromas of that birch sap wine. Sounds good to me!
The nose presents with a sappy sweetness that radiates vanilla ice cream, varnished wood, raw cedar, sawdust, blueberries and blackberries, banana, anise seed, licorice, dark chocolate, mild coconut, raisins and English style pot still rum with undertones of raw sugar, spice and petals. On the palate the whisky is less sweet and fruity than the nose suggests, immediately thumping the taste buds with a woody textured bitter citrus rind that gradually dries into the mid-palate when sawdust, spice, dark chocolate coated licorice and mild undertones of vanilla develop with a herbal cough drop glow and honey drizzled over forest berries. The sappy note detected on the nose returns in the finish but loses its sweetness to a woody and astringent dryness that is counterbalanced by the creamy aftertaste of a Sambuca spiked espresso affogato, the sweet bitterness of lime wedges in chinotto and the curious faint shine of menthol similar to the vapour of tiger balm.
Overall, Mackmyra Midnattssol is a creative whisky that harmoniously fuses an array of flavours that are difficult to find in most other whiskies on the market, thanks in part to the fact that the Midnattssol has been matured in Swedish oak and finished in casks that previously held birch sap wine – find the most curious fusion of fruit, citrus, sap and herbal notes with the more familiar vanillas from American oak to smooth it all out. This is a complex and interesting whisky with lots of depth to explore within its layers of integrated and balanced flavours. If you do decide to have a rendezvous with this whisky make sure you cancel your plans, this Swedish beauty deserves your undivided attention.
Mackmyra Svensk Rök
Score: 87/100
ABV: 46.1%
Origin: Scotland
The words “Svensk Rök” may conjure images of ABBA or Eurovision, but far from referring to golden haired Swedes singing in spandex tights “Svensk Rök” translates into “Swedish Smoke” – an entirely appropriate name for a smoky Swedish whisky.
Mackmyra Svensk Rök is a whisky that projects a smokier flavour profile than other whiskies in the Mackmyra range, being comprised of whisky that is crafted using peat bog moss and juniper twigs. The use of juniper twigs in particular seems to infuse the whisky with a distinctive smoke that is refreshingly different to the peaty style whiskies from other parts of the world, such as Islay in Scotland.
The nose presents with crisp celery and the waft of peat, as mild juniper smoke dances around raw sugar crystals, orange zest, mild vanilla and a very watery vanilla latte. On the palate the whisky is smooth and slightly more potent than the nose suggests, showcasing notes of distinctive juniper smoke, peat, toasted twigs, raw sugar in espresso, cinnamon, soft vanilla and oak. The finish is particularly spicy presenting with cinnamon, dry chili flakes and the lingering bite of a mildly bitter green olive that seems to morph back and forth into a oven baked pitted kalamata olive.
Overall, Mackmyra Svensk Rök is a smooth and well balanced whisky that offers a distinctive smoke, peat and spice that is unquestionably Swedish in its design. Its nose was strangely watery, but the thump of Swedish smoke on the palate made up for that lazy start.
Mackmyra Special 07
Score: 95/100
ABV: 45.8%
Origin: Sweden
Try it with: Romeo y Julieta No 1 Cuban cigar, Kung Po scallops (Chinese), Prawns with chili and basil (Thai), fresh prawns/seafood
Mackmyra is a whisky distillery located in Sweden. It is the brainchild of eight friends who, tucked away in a mountain lodge in the spring of 1998, wondered why there was no Swedish whisky in the vast ocean of whisky in the world. Mackmyra was born a year later in 1999 and the first drops of their Swedish whisky were distilled on 18 December 1999. Mackmyra now produce a range of interesting, refreshingly different and, I’ll admit, pretty darn exciting expressions that make use of Swedish oak (which is said to infuse whisky with a fiery spiciness) and a signature “Mackmyra smoke” (peat flavoured with fresh juniper twigs) to produce whisky that is not only distinctly Swedish but unmistakably Mackmyra.
Mackmyra Special 07 is crafted by combining two different types of whiskies, a smoky style of whisky made with juniper smoke and a more elegant style whisky. Once combined these whiskies are finished in casks that have been saturated in cloudberry wine, and it is this finishing that gives this whisky its unique and very satisfying taste.
Cloudberries are members of the rose family and are closely related to raspberry, blackberry, and thimbleberry, but unlike their more familiar cousins they are native to the snowforests, tundra and bogs that circle the Arctic and can be found in Scandinavia, most of Alaska, parts of Canada and the northern parts of Russia. People in Nordic countries and in Canada use cloudberries to make jams, top pancakes, ice cream and waffles or make delicious sounding desserts (probably the least appetizing to me is “Eskimo ice cream” which is made with seal oil and reindeer fat). For the more careless among us, cloudberry tea was believed to cure urinary tract infections (just saying). It did not take the Scandinavians long to realise that whatever has sugar can be fermented into an alcoholic beverage, so cloudberry wine – with all its delicious berry rich flavours – was born. It goes without saying that Mackmyra’s use of barrels saturated in cloudberry wine to finish this whisky infuses it with a distinctly Scandianvian character that is very rarely found in other whiskies, and coupled with its flavours of juniper smoke and spicy Swedish oak the Mackmyra Special 07 is definitely a whisky to try before you die!
Mackmyra Special 07 beautifully matched the flavours of a Romeo y Julieta No 1 Cuban cigar, fresh seafood and some Asian seafood dishes. The whisky’s smooth creamy entry and proceeding sweet glow of pear, apples and honey refreshed the palate and cleansed it of the taste of the cigar, and the Swedish oak and spice that then followed on the drying finish accentuated and complimented the woody and leathery notes that were released from the smooth smoke of the Romeo y Julieta No 1. The drying winy finish also complimented and cut through seafood, particularly the sweet bite of freshly peeled prawns or the fiery bite of sugary Kung Po scallops or stir fry prawns with Chili and Basil.
The bouquet immediately presents with lemon and hints of banana slicing through cream, sliced green apple, white chocolate, raisins, licorice, white wine, berries and a mild hue of juniper smoke with a gentle whiff of pinecone. On the palate the whisky is clean, smooth and creamy – undertones of white wine and grape skins merge with green apple, then at mid-palate the sweet glow of pear, apples and honey emerges and then fades into a drying and mildly astringent finish with undertones of spice from the Swedish oak. The finish is tart and drying, with the lingering aftertaste of a dry white wine and more pronounced wood notes with hints of spice.
Overall, Mackmyra Special 07 is a whisky that creatively marries the flavours of mild juniper smoke, spicy Swedish oak and berry rich Cloudberry wine with an underlying sweet glow of fruity malt to create a whisky that is so uniquely Scandinavian it makes me want to drink to the tune of Helan Går or leap out of my chair and dance the to the polska. It is now a personal favourite of mine, and perfect with a mild to medium strength cigar.
Mackmyra brukswhisky
Score: 95/100
ABV: 41.4%
Origin: Sweden
Price: £35.99 (UK)
Mackmyra is a whisky distillery located in Sweden. It is the brainchild of eight friends who, tucked away in a mountain lodge in the spring of 1998, wondered why there was no Swedish whisky in the vast ocean of whisky in the world. Mackmyra was born a year later in 1999 and the first drops of their Swedish whisky were distilled on 18 December 1999. Mackmyra now produce a range of interesting, refreshingly different and, I’ll admit, pretty darn exciting expressions that make use of Swedish oak (which is said to infuse whisky with a fiery spiciness) and a signature “Mackmyra smoke” (peat flavoured with fresh juniper twigs) to produce whisky that is not only distinctly Swedish but unmistakably Mackmyra.
Mackmyra Brukswhisky is made from whisky that is matured in bourbon casks, sherry casks and Swedish oak casks, and it is given a hint of juniper smoke with the addition of Mackmyra’s smoky variety of whisky. This certainly sounds very innovative and creative, because the vast majority of whisky tends to be matured in bourbon casks and/or sherry casks. Mackmyra appear to be pushing the boundaries in this case and creating a whisky that is truly distinctive by infusing it with flavours from Swedish oak and juniper smoke. I am getting thirty just thinking about it!
The bouquet is fresh, light and crisp with intriguing notes that immediately astound – creamy vanilla, citrus, orange peel, manuka honey, fragrant flowers, pot pouri, sweet tree sap, warm baklava with nuts and honey, raspberry and milk bottle lollies, perfumed soaps, mild licorice, incense and hints of smoke. On the palate the whisky is extraordinarily balanced and offers notes of cooked pear, fresh orange, honey, hard lollies (Berwick cockles, licorice candy and minties come to mind), dark chocolate, fragrant wood, and all the while an underlying heat radiates rigid flecks of spice from the palate in the form of cinnamon, star anise, fiery peppermint and fisherman’s friends. The finish is refreshing and warming with spices and the continuing burn of peppermint/fisherman’s friends, as undertones of sweet wine intermingle with raisin, apricot custard Danish pastry, oak notes and orange rind.
Overall, Mackmyra Brukswhisky is a soft, crisp, fresh and super smooth whisky with superbly integrated yet complex flavours. Its flavours are superbly balanced and project a distinct style that is Mackmyra, which not only makes it extremely drinkable but a refreshing change for those looking to broaden their whisky horizons and explore not only Mackmyra’s distillate, Swedish oak or juniper smoke but also some masterful blending by the Mackmyra team led by Angela D’Orazio. She should also be pleased to know that my Dad, a beginner whisky drinker who does not much enjoy spirits neat, sipped a dram of Mackmyra Brukswhisky with delight while he made a big pot of pasta sauce – he said it is the first whisky he has enjoyed. My continuing efforts to convert yet another person into a whisky drinker may just have succeeded, thanks to Mackmyra! Tack så mycket.
Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No 2 Merak
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Spirit Name:
Spirit Type:
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Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No 2 Merak
Single malt
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Score:
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95/100
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ABV:
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45% |
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Region:
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Sweden
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Body:
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Medium-full
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Intensity:
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Medium
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Texture:
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Oily
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Balance:
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Near perfect
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Best served:
Cask:
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Neat
American, French and Spanish oak
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Theme(s):
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Youthful and vibrant yet oak rich, oily barley, peat, vanillas, dried fruit, maritime salt, caramels, citrus, sweet winy notes, fresh ginger, spice, cigar smoke, tobacco, leather
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Tasting notes:
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The Swedes are not known for their culinary skills. From Surströmming (which is basically rotted herring) to blodsoppa (blood soup, which says it all), the Swedes have a traditional palate of peculiar taste and this began to erode my faith in anything delicious, apart from Rekorderlig cider of course (and according to my girlfriend, Alexander Skarsgard), coming out of Sweden. Spirit of Hven’s Seven Stars (No 1) Dubhe provided some shimmers of hope, because it was a very enjoyable whisky with spice and peat carried by a slightly young spirit. Then a sample of Seven Stars (No 2), the sequel to this story, arrived at my door. Wow! Odin himself could not have crafted a better whisky, and as for the rest of the world, well, take note, the Vikings are back… but this time the skirmishes will involve some finely crafted whisky and perhaps a smattering of aquavit to help us with the boredom from vodka (sorry vodka makers, but you know it’s true).
The Spirit of Hven Seven Stars Merak (No 2) is the second release in the “Seven Stars” series. It is named after the star Merak in the asterism Ursa Major and people in the northern hemisphere will know it as one of the pointer stars in the Big Dipper (or “The Plough” in England) which is an asterism of seven stars. The whisky itself is matured in American, French and Spanish oak and blended from only 25 casks.
The balance and complexity of the Merak (No 2) is delightful – oily barley is interlaced with wisps of peat that underpin a harmonious fusion of American, French and Spanish Oak. The bouquet offers sweet vanillas, toasted oak and caramels from the American oak that merge nicely with the more silky tannins, roasted almond, licorice, musty cloves and floral jasmine from the French oak as the Spanish oak adds a mysterious twist that melds all the flavours to make them work together, emitting herbaceous notes (hints of rosemary, oregano) that shift and change as sure as Loki changed his shape. On the palate that barley is beautiful, creamy and oily, and it gently shines beneath notes of peat, dried fruit, orange citrus peel, sweet winy notes, peppercorns, fresh ginger, salted caramel and coastal rock salt that all emerge almost instantaneously with hints of cigar smoke, tobacco and leather developing at mid-palate, but in a fascinating turn the pepper and peat intensify as the salt takes on more maritime character and then fades into an ashy finish with overtones of vanilla fudge and almond cake with a tiny bit of red fruit jam. This is a superstar world whisky that showcases supreme balance, complexity, freshness, youth, oak influence and the creative twist of a small artisan distillery from Sweden – the barley is oily, the distillation cuts are clean, the oak types work together beautifully, the blending is superb and, in my opinion, the strategic use of the casks, peat or both has infused the whisky with salt and coastal character. This is how you make great whisky and it is unquestionably one of the finest world whiskies to be tasted on Malt Mileage.
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Likes:
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Complex, creative, balanced, enjoyable, interesting
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Dislikes:
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Nothing
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Price:
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£N/A
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Spirit of Hven Single Malt Seven Stars No 1 Dubhe
★★★★★☆
Score: 88/100
ABV: 45%
Region: Sweden
Body: Light
Intensity: Light-medium
Texture: Medium
Balance: Superb
Best served: Neat
Body: Light
Intensity: Light-medium
Texture: Medium
Balance: Superb
Best served: Neat
Theme(s): Light peat, smoke, earthiness
Likes: Complex peat with different shades
Dislikes: A little jagged at times
Likes: Complex peat with different shades
Dislikes: A little jagged at times
I once thought that no one could compete with Islay in creating a superbly balanced smoky whisky… until I tried Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No 1 Dubhe.
Sweden leads the world in many things, including innovation and social policy. It is no surprise that this whisky is delightfully unique, exhibiting the aroma and flavour of nature: sharp grain, sappy wood, subtle earthiness, musty herbs, the brightness of sweet fruit. This offers shades of fruit and grain with bursts of dense peat and smoke. It is unique and different from what you would expect from Islay or any other peated whisky in the world! It is, I think, more earthy with lashings of grain and complex vegetation on the tongue; a vegetation that expresses every step of the life cycle – infant seedlings, wet moss, fruit and grain and dead dry glass.
This whisky is now listed in my “TOP WHISKY” list.
Spirit of Hven
Spirit of Hven is a distillery located in Sweden. It is nestled on what sounds like a beautiful island sitting between Denmark and Sweden, the island of Hven. Drawing from the name of this island, this whisky clearly reflects every facet of the natural resources that have gone into producing this whisky.
The island of Hven has 371 inhabitants and the island is 7.5 kilometers squared. The picture to the right shows a Hven from above; a beautiful European village which looks pristine and very snug indeed!
Inspiration from the stars
This whisky is matured in American, French and Spanish oak. In case you were wondering about its name, the Spirit of Hven website reads:
“As inspiration, we have once again turned to the magic above, we saw the northern sky and the asterism Charles Wagon (Big Dipper), the seven brightest stars of the Great Bear. This, the first whisky got its name after the second brightest star of the seven, Dubhe.”
Now for the important part, my detailed tasting notes.
Tasting notes – Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No 1 Dubhe
Comparison with other whisky
I blind tasted this whisky alongside Ardbeg Galileo, Nikka Pure Malt Black and a number of other whiskies. I can say that the Spirit of Hven 7 Stars No 1 Dubhe was the most balanced of the lot. So, in the blind tasting, it was between the Arbeg and the Hven! The Nikka All Malt Black was much too sweet and unbalanced, with a dull and slightly boring demeanor. While the Spirit of Hven did have a slightly less impressive nose than the Ardbeg, I felt that its balance of flavours was slightly (by a whisker) better and this contributed to a magnificent taste. The Arbeg was I think a little sweeter by a whisker, whereas the Spirit of Hven had an earthiness that balanced against the sweetness beautifully. However, the Ardbeg was more powerful and its flavours peeled away a little easier, which in turn allowed more exploration of complexity. I really like the way the earthiness in the Spirit of Hven moderates the sweetness (though the Hven was weaker on the finish and a little brittle, so overall I preferred the Ardbeg).
Snapshot: summary tasting notes
Spirit of Hven pride themselves on producing organic products, and these efforts certainly shine through in their whisky. The whisky exhibits a culmination of all the facets of a small European island – the earthy grain slices through the dense lush green as plumes of smoke burst with peat and ask which whisk away the fruity sweetness that waits patiently in the background, but never overpowers. So lovely! That peat is complex, with cascading shades of peat striking the palate; it starts dry then with the splash of a salty ocean wave it becomes lush cut lawn from which vegetation sprouts and bears fruit; corn, wheat, barley. It is that earthy and herbaceous vegetation that sharply cuts through the peat smoke and sweet fruit, balancing the whisky so beautifully.
Here are my more detailed tasting notes.
Nose
That lovely complex peat hits the nose gently, as dry grass intertwines with lush green cut lawn and the earth from which it grows! There is even a little fruit; some blackberry and blueberry which, together with some grain and malt, really makes this whisky one that exhibits the “life cycle” of vegetation. I love that aspect of this whisky. That vegetation is met with some saltiness and the malt adds some much needed savoury as the sap and maple bring some interesting zing!
Taste
That grainy anise seed on the nose morphs into a sweet dense licorice on the palate, which smacks against the tongue with the beautiful cascading peat. The sap and maple gently glows in the light cloud of smoke that cracks into a dusty haze and shining through it is sharp citrus peel and more dull blackberry that lets mixed herbs (parsley in particular) tingle on the tongue with sponge cake… until it is washed away by thin milk chocolate and spring water. Ever present is that earthiness, seeding, and seeds.
Finish
The finish on this whisky is good, but it does die a little early. Combined with its slight lack of oomph, the finish is a little weaker than I would have liked. This is bottled at 45% alcohol volume, so I was expecting some more power.
Malt Mileage Whisky & Spirit Reviews 