This year sees the 25th anniversary since the launch of Mackmyra. A really impressive landmark and one that will likely be celebrated in style by the team.
To mark the occasion, for this post we are looking at what is an adaptation of their first whisky or “first edition”: the Svensk Ek
Sitting within the core range of Mackmyra’s offerings, the name translates to “Swedish Oak” and celebrates one of the unique elements to the first Swedish Whiskymakers… their oak. In fact, the oak used for the barrels is harvested from the island of Visingsö, where oak trees were planted long ago as a source for shipbuilding.
Notoriously slow growing, given the conditions in the area, the oak is said to impart a distinctively spiced profile to the whisky, and as such forms a backbone to the release but not the majority.
How do we know this?
The recipe is readily available on the Mackmyra site and as such we know that the contents features the following ingredients:
– 68% 200L Ex-Bourbonfat elegant
– 12% 128L New Oloroso casks elegant
– 10% 100L New Oloroso casks elegant
– 10% 128L New American oak casks elegant
The final whisky is housed without an age statement in Mackmyra’s classic bottle at a final 46.1% ABV, at natural colour and without chill filtration. At the time of writing, the 70cl bottle will set you back around £60 GBP.
Nose
Quite a drying oak nose to begin with. Apples, pears, and peach make little fruity appearances but the Ek is what this is all about and with that comes the wood and vanilla scents plus oak spices via stem ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper. There’s an earthy note that makes the oak sensation smell almost smoke-like but there’s no peat or smoke at play here.
Taste
Sweet caramel, apple pies, and honey notes start proceedings with a sweeter than expected start. Then the oak kicks in and brings an earthiness that really brings that raw honey note home. Ginger and black pepper spices build
Finish
The spices tingle but there’s a slight menthol zip and freshness left behind too.
Verdict
A really approachable whisky. It remains fresh and light despite the rich and earthy oak notes and spices. It almost feels like it has a woodsmoke taste to it, although I believe that there is no smoke involved in this one.
Since the distillery’s shake-up last year, it’s good to see that this has remained within the core range and, as the name suggests, it is leading with oak profile – and quite the oak they have available! Glad to see they’ve kept the bold branding style and their Stockholm bottle.
Overall, this has quite a bit of depth to it and the whisky nerd within would love to know the ages of contents – but some secrets have to be kept, right? What we do know is that it’s here to stay and makes heck (ek?) of a nightcap.
M
Sample disclosure: This is a miniature bottle that I bought as part of an online tasting session with Mackmyra. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
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