Bivrost The Sautso Silver

Bivrost The Sautso Silver, 6 YO , 50%

Distilled 2019, made with Nordic barley and Heder Arctic barley (25% of the total here) grown in Alta at Heimdal Farm. Composed of two cask types, 125L ex-Oloroso sherry cask and 125L ex-bourbon quarter cask. Released in October 2025. The world’s first ever whisky (partially) made from Arctic barley.

Even with an outturn of 712 bottles (50 cl) this whisky sold out in minutes.

This whisky has a special backstory:

This whisky is a cooperation with Aurora and Alten Laksefiskeri Interesseforening (“ALI”), which actually are turning 300 years in 2025. The whisky is partly made with barley from Heimdal Gård in Alta and river water from the Alta River.

The Alta River carved the Sautso Canyon (hence the name of the whisky)., and it is known as one of the world’s premier salmon rivers, especially noted for large wild Atlantic salmon.

Nose: Minty and grassy sweetness greets the senses, lightly sugary and fresh. Vanilla and gentle oak follow, with malty orchard fruits emerging over time.

Taste: Medium bodied and mildly spicy. Orchard fruits, honey and rich malt interplay with the recurring green, grassy tones.

Finish: Medium to short. Fruity malt lingers before giving way to soft oak spice and a clean, grassy fade.

Comment: Fresh, malty and green. 

Score 86/100

PS! I have tried cask samples of Arctic barley distilled in 2019 (when they first started experimenting) and 2020, and I can confirm that “pure” Arctic barley will be even more vibrant, green and grassy.

This is Nordic whisky review #477 here on Whisky Saga. See them all here.

Sláinte!
-Thomas