Master of Malt's #WhiskySanta has returned to give away free orders, £100 vouchers, tens of thousands of pressies inside packages, and to grant Christmas wishes too!
A gorgeous single cask Spirit of Hven single malt whisky, which pays tribute to Saint Nicholas, patron of fishermen and sailors (among others). For the Sankt Claus release, the Swedish distillers on the tiny island of Hven wanted a whisky that would bring warmth to a cold winter evening. The chosen whisky was matured in French oak casks which previously held Merlot wine, which surely had an influence on its radiant ruby red hue. A bold, warming, subtly smoky expression, with plenty of red berry, dark chocolate and rich coffee notes throughout.
Henric Molin and team are on the tiny island of Hven/Ven, somewhere fought over between Denmark and Sweden - and not far from the Orosundbron ("The Bridge" - the Crime series). Well it would be a crime to overlook such quality. All of the whiskies (and by the way, there are several pot-still gins, aqvavits, vodkas too) are superbly crafted. If Par Caldenby from Smogen is Van Gogh, then Henric Molin is Georges Seurat, with a pointilliste attention to every detail. Both styles are masterly. I really recommend the Seven Stars series, and this number 4 (there will be 7, as there are 7 stars in the Big Dipper constellation) in particular. The Sankt Claus is of course the Xmas dram - rich warm, red-berries. The island of Hven is fascinating, as it is the place where Tycho Brahe worked (OK so not everyone knows the story of heliocentricity I know) - without his work, then Johannes Kepler would not have made the laws of planetary motion (see http://galileo.rice.edu/sci/brahe.html). There is a great museum on the island devoted to this. The island itself only has around 350 inhabitants, but 1000s go there in the Summer to visit. Nearly everyone on the island is glad to see strangers, and are kind, thoughtful, welcoming and considerate (much like nearly all Swedes I know). STRONGLY recommended. Get the whisky. Go to Skane (the bread-basket of Sweden - food and drink are excellent there).
David Goldsmith Aug 2, 2016
Superb
It has peaty smoke (or "rok" in Swedish) and a wonderful Merlot red wine finish. Perfect frankly. Ideal at Xmas by the fireside, but pretty damned good the other evening in London in June!!!
David Jun 9, 2016
Hot toddie on a cold Winter's night
This is the only one of the many different whiskies from Backafallsbyn Spirit of Hven destilleri that I now have. It was only produced as a few 100s of 50cl bottles. It is a very characterful smorgasbord of Winter essences and flavours, and yes, the Merlot colour is lovely in Winter (or Autumn) diffused sunshine. I too find the red berry influence, and some toffee / chocolate undertones. A nice whisky, and remember, a youth still - not callow, but confident. Recommended.
David Oct 4, 2015
My swedish love
This was my christmas present to myself this year. And boy... was i happy!
The MoM-chaps got it right here. Ill still give you my own notes. Nose: Scottish peat-smoke that reminds me of Octomore 6.1 (in flavour not ppm), Coffee, cloves, leather, sweet old cognac. After a few minuts I get toffee, glazed bacon and charcoal-grilled swedish sausages.
Taste: More of that smokey-goodness, Red forrest berrys, coffee again, Cinnamon spongecake. Some sweet "cognacky" notes that remind me of cognac distilled ca 1965. Spicy oak, tanin from the merlot and a hint of orange peel.
The finish: Very long with a nice persistent smoke, nuts (macadamia), and a scent of walking in a forrest after the rain. Ends on the same note of sausages from the nose.
Overall: A very complex dram. Its like a meeting of smokey single malt and old cognac. A new classic! CM
