Mackmyra 2002 12 YO Reserve Cask #02-165

Mackmyra 2002 12 YO Reserve Cask #02-165, 43,1 %

I am reviewing a private cask from Mackmyra today. Since this is not to be considered an official product I am not including this review in the Nordic Whisky review series. It is quite interesting to have a chance to taste a 12 year old Nordic whisky though. The oldest 'officially released' Nordic whisky I have tried is a 10 year old from Mackmyra and from Teerenpeli.

OK, so back to the Mackmyra 2002 12 YO Reserve Cask #02-165. The cask was filled on 2002-12-30, and the bottles were filled on 2015-04-15. The whisky was matured in a 100 litre bourbon barrel. This is an unpeated whisky, using the Mackmyra Elegant recipe.

Nose: Very soft and shy. Dusty character; sawdust and dusty attic. Some vanilla and mild citrus notes. In the background I pick up darker notes of wet leaves on an Autumn dirt path. With time the vanilla is coming through a bit stronger, and it is quite pleasant - a simple and elegant nose.

Taste: Soft and light mouthfeel. Light to medium body. Vanilla, caramel, ginger, white pepper, and a slightly bitter edge.

Finish: Medium long finish (at a stretch). Mainly watery with a touch of vanilla and caramel in the end.

Comments: I was hoping for something a bit more exciting and refined here, but it is relatively ordinary, I would say. Not a lot of oak though, which is good considering it has spent 12 years in a 100 litre barrel.

Score (83/100)

Massive thanks to Tobbe for letting me have a sample of this!

Sláinte! - Thomas