Part of High Coast's Origins series, Hav, which translates to 'sea' in Swedish, is a slightly peated single malt. Nicknamed Oak Spice, the whisky is made up of 20% peated and 80% non-peated whisky, and was matured in both Hungarian and Swedish oak casks as well as bourbon barrels. In 2019, the liquid was bottled at 48% ABV, and the rich, spicy whisky certainly lives up to its name. Great stuff from those High Coast folks.
The first thing you notice is spicy malt notes, then comes the fruit - candied orange peel and raspberries. Dark chocolate, dried grass and cinnamon flavours emerge and are then followed by a little marzipan.
A little cracked black pepper flickers through a rounded and full-bodied palate, which carries plenty of thick caramel, tropical fruit and vanilla cookies.
A hint of citrus fruit, brown sugar and earthy florals remain.
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Halfway through the bottle and I understand this malt a lot more. At first the oak spice remind me a lot of Compass Box Oak Cross, but as the bottle goes down, considerable changes appeared. The nose became very floral and the peat brought out the floral note so well that it is a perfume-like creature. A drop of water opened the nose even more and it is similar to spilled perfume. Taste on neat is a bit tight and the nose does not continue much on the taste. Spicy and lots of wood elements, but finish is short. The dash of water does not release the tightness but drown it. The arrival and finish were diminished. Points deducted because of that. Water or not? Up to you.
Orange peel and raspberries but also floor cleaner. Pineapple and black pepper., but also decaying leaves.
