Bivrost 2018 8 YO (Secret Bottle Shop)

Bivrost 2018 8 YO (Secret Bottle Shop), 58.7 %

Distilled 2018-06-06, initially matured in ex-aquavit cask, then finished for an unspecified period in ex-Oloroso sherry cask (cask #137). bottled 2026-06-29, and limited to 250 bottles (50 cl).

The Bivrost 2018 8 YO (Secret Bottle Shop) is available to buy from the Secret Bottle Shop online at GBP 95.

Nose: Caramel, butterscotch and toasted oak at first sniff, followed by big notes of dried fruits. There is also a distinct green and herbal character here, with echoes of caraway and pine needles. With time, the herbal and borderline floral notes twist, turn and morph, but never quite take over. The aquavit cask is thankfully a fairly well-tamed beast here.

Taste: Full bodied and creamy in character. Sweet, rich and wonderfully warming, with dried fruits and white pepper leading the way. Then comes a sudden flash of mulled wine, with rich red wine notes mingling with an assortment of dried herbs and spices. A lovely interplay between sweetness and spice.

Finish: Medium long. More of the sherry richness and dried fruits, accompanied by warming notes of fudge and gentle spiciness. The sweetness gradually settles, leaving a slightly green, herbal touch towards the end.

Comment: Sherry richness meets restrained aquavit spices. 

Score 86/100

This is Nordic whisky review #519 here on Whisky Saga. See them all here.

Sláinte!
-Thomas