Nordic Whisky #199 - Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 6:1 Mizar

Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 6:1 Mizar, 7 YO, 45 %

Nordic Whisky #199 - Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 6:1 Mizar

This is the sixth release in the Spirit of Hven “Seven Stars” series. The Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 6:1 Mizar is a limited release of 3670 bottles (3370x500ml & 300x100ml). It was released for sale on March 2, 2018. This is the first release in the series that, at least on paper, could be called heavily peated.

All whiskies in the Seven Stars series are named from the stars in Ursa Major. The sixth light point in this asterism is a double star, where Mizar together with the somewhat fainter star Alcor builds a pair. The double star explains the No. 6:1 numbering, rather than just No. 6. A Seven Stars 6:2 will be released later this year. More info in the official blurb below:

"The recipe is 58,8% Lager malt, 35,3% peated malt (38ppm), 5,9% Chocolate malt. The distillate have matured between seven and ten years on; 64,7% Muehlenbergii oak from Missouri, 23,6% Petraea oak from Allier and 11,7% Robur from Bourgogne.

The whisky was married on seven Quercus Petraea barriques that previously held Chateau Margaux Premier Grand Cru.

An additional seven casks with the same recipe have been kept for further finishing. This whisky will be released in September 2018.

The traditional whisky phenols measures to 20ppm, however the contributing phenols from the chateau Margaux casks elevates the total phenols to 32ppm."

You can still pick up a bottle of the Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 6:1 Mizar in Sweden at the reasonable price of SEK 795 (4016502).

Nose: A little shy and closed up at first.Appears somewhat dry, which is a bit unusual when nosing a whisky. Warm sand, licorice root, and deep wine like notes. Vanilla sticks, worn leather and cinnamon. Soft green notes in the back.

Taste: Medium body and sweetness. The first thing that strikes me is chocolate malt and toasted oak. Comes across as quite dry. Not really peaty, but peat like. It really works.

Finish: Medium long finish. Continues much as it started. The dryness does let up a bit towards the end, and a brief wave of lighter fruity notes grace my taste buds.

Comments: Again a very nice whisky from Spirit of Hven. Looking forward to 6:2 in September.

Score (88/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas