Nordic Whisky # 215 - Helsinki Whiskey Rye Malt - Release VYS #8

Helsinki Whiskey Rye Malt - Release VYS #8, NAS, 59.3 %

I have now had a chance to try another release from Finnish rye-volutionaries Helsinki Distilling Company. The Helsinki Whiskey Rye Malt - Release VYS #8 is the 6th Anniversary bottling for Viskin Ystävien Seura (VYS) - the Fellowship of Whisky in Finland.

It has been matured in matured in new American oak before it was given a finish in a rum cask. The total outturn was 680 bottles.

The mash bill used for this rye malt is 70 % rye and 30 % barley.

Nose: Warm with a touch of pepper. Fruit forward with apples and grape juice. Earthy - bringing to mind a dark, damp cellar with dirt floor. With time it really reminds me of a high quality Albanian rakı (not the ones with lots of aniseed). Oaky and softly spicy as well.

Taste: Full bodied and full-on spicy. Wheee! Spice wheel keep on turning! Peppery at first, then a myriad of other spices - most of which I cannot pick out, but there is ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg for sure. A pinch of herbs as well, and behind it all - a mild fruit cocktail in simple syrup.

Finish: Medium long finish. The fruit is slowly developing, taking on tropical notes. The spices subside and a lovely equilibrium is reached, and we just float slowly towards a calm and tranquil end.

Comment: Finnish rye with a rakı twist!

Score 87/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas