In a departure from the usual – today’s blog is courtesy of the Irish Whiskey Stone Company who received one of my blind tasting packs.
This is the experience they enjoyed!
“About a week ago I saw a post on Twitter by a whiskey reviewer, @2DramsofWhiskey of Westmeath Whiskey World, in which he showed a picture of some vials of whiskey and informing us that he was going to be doing a blind whiskey tasting. I replied to his tweet asking what was a blind whiskey tasting and how does one go about doing it. Not really expecting an answer, I was more than pleasantly surprised when I got a reply telling me that it could easily be arranged!
This was followed with some private messages in which I then had to admit that I know next to nothing about whiskey (which may surprise some of you, considering I sell whiskey stones but how and ever…)
That didn’t put the reviewer off and before I knew it, here I was with 3 samples of whiskey to try out.
I have to admit, it took me a few days to get around to doing it and a certain amount of mental preparation (don’t know why but I was quite daunted by this task!).
Anyway, today was the day. I got out the samples, I found three glasses, got a spittoon glass at the ready and a bottle of water to clean my palate between tasting.
I got a pen and paper out ready to make some notes and cracked open Sample D. I poured some into a glass and first took note of the aroma, which struck me as quite sweet. I sipped and let it rest in my mouth, closed my eyes and thought for a moment about the flavours. The two flavours that struck me the most was citrus and wood. I then added a wee drop of water to see what flavours this would release and the sweetness became more intense. I found this sweetness too much for my liking to be honest.
Sample D West Cork Peat Charred Cask
I washed my mouth out with some water and proceeded to try out Sample E. Again, the first thing I noted was the aroma. This time I could almost detect the freshness of the sea. (probably not remotely a technical whiskey tasting term but it fits for me). This whiskey had a very pure taste and I found it very pleasant indeed.
Sample E Kilbeggan Rye
On to Sample F I went. As soon as I opened the bottle, I could catch a hint of peatiness. I like peat but not too much of it so I was wary. However, this was not overbearing at all. I tasted. Wow, what an explosion of flavour in my mouth. There was an almost orange tang of it but it was a little sharp for me. Having said that, I think this would be an amazing after-dinner tipple.
Sample F Mackmyra Reserve Cask
I gathered my notes and what you have just read is my semi-coherent interpretation of them.
So, there you go. My first whiskey tasting. I actually really enjoyed it and it was a good challenge to write about it too!”
Many thanks to Irish Whiskey Stone Company for sharing their thoughts.
Pubs are currently closed in Ireland for the COVID pandemic – yet they remained open in Sweden.
On a previous visit to Gothenburg I had the pleasure of enjoying one of them.
There’s a different feel to the bars in Sweden. Licencing laws require food to be served & consequently tables & chairs are common place – rather than nooks & crannies.
Whisky central! c/othewhiskeynut
At Ölrepubliken I sat myself down by the bar counter to admire the whisky selection & chat with the friendly staff.
Ardbeg was in abundance – Ölrepukliken are ambassadors for the brand – but it was Swedish Whisky that interested me.
Swedish & Scotch in Gothenburg c/othewhiskeynut
By way of a starter – a glass from the small cask in the corner was offered.
Mackmyra staff regularly top up this barrel with cask strength products in a solera style system.
Mackmyra Reserve Cask c/othewhiskeynut
How cool is that!
A unique taste experience every time you visit!
Luckily for me the current contents consisted of a smoky – or rök in Swedish – element augmented by bourbon & sherry casks too.
It certainly warmed me up!
Rich notes of vanilla & dark fruits. No chill filtering or added caramel here. A dry savouriness – almost chewy.
Gorgeous!
A whisky menu was proffered & a private bottling for the bar featuring more rök malt finished in oloroso was next.
Mackmyra Reserve c/othewhiskeynut
The contrast between the dry smokiness & the sweet luxurious fruits really worked well.
Wonderful!
Which one? c/othewhiskeynut
To finish off a clutch of silver labelled, black banded Mackmyras caught my eye.
Part of the Moment Range I’d never encountered before.
I chose Jakt – named after the Swedish wine casks it’s finished in.
Who knew Sweden even did wine?
Jakt Whisky c/othewhiskeynut
At 48.1% Jakt didn’t quite have the punch of the cask strength beauties I’d just engaged with.
Nonetheless rich fruity notes blossomed in a softly complex display of sumptuousness.
Picking a favourite? – it would have to be the Ölrepubliken Cask.
The full strength rök offering in a unique combination of finishes just blew me away.
If your looking for a taste of Swedish Whiskey – Ölrepubliken is the place to go!
I had an unexpected package arrive just in time for International Whisky Day on 27th March – a pair of fabulous Swedish Single Malts for me to enjoy courtesy of the Irish Drams blog here.
They came as part of an informal whisky sample exchange I have going with a number of fellow whisky fans – always happy to have more.
The pair were poured into my favourite drinking receptacle – the Túath Irish Whiskey Glass – and the fun began.
Wow!
The flavours in both of these malts just explode on the palate giving a tantalisingly complex taste experience.
This matches my encounters of other Swedish malts sampled on a recent trip to Göteborg which benefit from being non chill filtered & presented at natural colour.
It would be remiss of me not to visit a Systembolaget shop whilst in Sweden.
All booze is bought here. c/othewhiskeynut
Systembolaget are the chain of state owned off licences set up in 1955 to control the sale & consumption of alcohol.
Alcohol is strictly governed in Sweden.
There is no advertising.
There is no sponsorship.
There is no ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free!’.
What there is are high taxes and I must say – a very pleasing & clean shopping experience.
The stores are bright & airy.
There is a cheerful atmosphere.
All brands get equal exposure. There are no promotional ads from the big brands dominating the aisles.
See what you’re looking for? c/othewhiskeynut
Each category is clearly labelled – equally – so it’s not difficult to find what you’re looking for.
I already knew what I was after.
Systembolaget do an online guide here detailing all that is available – by how many bottles – in each shop. So I already knew before entering the store my choice was on the shelves.
Very impressive.
Well what did I go for?
Hven had already impressed me on first encountering their distinctively shaped & super tasty whiskies at the Whisky Birmingham show a few years ago.
Learning they had produced a rye – my other love – there was no contest.
Spirit of Hven Rye c/othewhiskeynut
Now Hven don’t do chill filtering nor added caramel.
They give extensive detail regarding the grains, process & method of the products they release – and this rye is no exception.
But open information doesn’t gaurantee great taste – so how was it?
A gorgeously wholesome white peppery signature rye spiciness greeted me with a spirity kick.
The delivery was smooth on the palate. The spices gently grew along with some herbaceous floral notes giving a savoury balance to the sweet.
The drying spices rolled around on the finish leaving a warm cosiness to counter the snow outside.
Even the river was frozen! c/othewhiskeynut
A lovely well balanced rye from the Spirit Of Hven Distillery.
A gorgeously warm whisky to welcome me to Göteborg.
WestmeathWhiskeyWorld 