In 1999, Mackmyra was the first and only Swedish malt whisky distillery, and the most northerly one in the world. They use local ingredients and tend to mature their spirit in small 100-litre casks (to speed up the ageing process) lying in an old mine, 50 meters underground.

Mackmyra Special:01 is matured in oak barrels from Spain’s sherry district. The casks have been seasoned to achieve a certain character. This modern practice is usually done by pouring a few liters of sherry into the cask and putting it under pressure – the sherry will be literally blown into the wood. Using this kind of newish, quickly impregnated wood allows young distilleries to release a sherried product after a shorter period of time. Nonetheless this “fast-forwarding” doesn’t always work that well.

Mackmyra Special:01 ‘Eminent sherry’ (51,6%, OB 2008, 8000 btl.)

Nose: it may be more sherried than other Mackmyra, but it’s not very eminently sherried in my opinion. There’s a spicy / gingery kick. Vanilla. Some butter caramel and marzipan. A little mint. Some fruits as well – those of a younger whisky. Nothing mind-blowing so far, but not a bad start. Mouth: much more fruit now (pear), with a sugary coating and some caramel / toffee flavours. There’s still a mint / eucalyptus thing going on. A faint smoky edge. Finish: sweetness of dried fruits and the same spicy element.

A slightly half-harted whisky, hesitating between spices, simple fruit and plain sugar. Although highly limited, it’s still available. Relatively expensive: around € 65.

Score: 78/100