Nordic Whisky #210 - Spirit of Hven Hvenus Rye Whisky

Spirit of Hven Hvenus Rye Whisky, NAS, 45.6 %

There seems to be something of a rye revolution going on, or a rye-volution as some call it. Quite a few distilleries in Scotland have started dabbling in rye, and the same goes for many other European distilleries. Time then to review to the first Swedish rye whisky, the Spirit of Hven Hvenus Rye Whisky.

The mash bill is given as 78.6 % rye, 11.9 % wheat, 4.8 % corn and 4.8 % barley. Furthermore it has been aged for three to six years in American oak. A total of 42 casks go into this first batch.

The Spirit of Hven Hvenus Rye Whisky will be released for sale in Norway on March 1 at NOK 699 (10777602). It is also available in Sweden at SEK 395 (40342).

Nose: Classic rye nose. Round and smooth. Delicate notes of pepper and toasted oak. Vanilla and orange zest.

Taste: Full-bodied and sweet. Lots of spiciness up front. Pepper, pepper and pepper. Then honey, cinnamon, ginger and hay.

Finish: Medium long finish. Honey and pepper remain the main components as this fine dram slowly fades away.

Comment: Wow, this is impressive!

Score (89/100)

Sláinte!
- Thomas