I received a taste of this offering from Mackmyra recently and in view of trying and really enjoying some private cask Mackmyra recently I was a little bit more optimistic when this one arrived in front of me. Firstly however for the non Swedish readership I should explain that Svensk Ek means Swedish Oak . This whisky is matured in barrels made from oak trees planted on the island of Visingsö centuries ago, oak originally intended for shipbuilding. Before being turned into barrels the oak is dried and worked to open the wood fibres to give a spicy taste to the whisky
I poured the whisky in to a Copita nosing glass, added a half teaspoon of water and left the whisky covered to develop for ten minutes. The whisky pours a very light golden colour, leaving quite strong legs flowing down the inside of the glass.
The nose is initially quite sweet and spicy with notes of citrus, allspice, perhaps cloves in the background but theen back to citrus and fresh cut green apples . Soft malt and and lemon cake appear. there is quite a lot going on but it is a little understated and really quite nice
The flavour is initially quite soft with a pronounced elements of black pepper allspice and ginger but this on a fruity base of green apples pears and soft fruit but as the whisky develops on the palate it goes more to vanilla , highland toffee and milk chocolate before a little pepper arrives. There is quite a lot going on here
The finish is quite long with citrus and vanilla notes dominating, drying, then back to vanilla with a little chilli
The addition of water added to the flavour of the whisky but a little more, perhaps a full teaspoon would be ideal
This is a quite busy whisky which would probably gain by being left to mature for longer. However to to its credit it is very pleasant, well made and well balanced which would make a fine pre meal dram!!
Cheers
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