The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Emma Briones
Rating: B-
Mackmyra 10 Year Old Single Malt
(Credit: Mackmyra)
For the first time, there is a major Swedish malt whisky with an age statement. Mackmyra just launched Mackmyra Ten Years, a Swedish 10-year old single malt whisky. Although Mackmyra, the best known whisky-makers in Sweden, did launch a limited release with an age statement some time ago, that was never available for general sale.
This seasonal whisky has been created from the Mackmyra unpeated “elegant” recipe. Mackmyra Ten Years has aged 50 metres underground, at Mackmyra’s own Bodås mine warehouse. Mackmyra Ten Years has been matured in ex-bourbon casks as well as American oak casks that held Oloroso sherry for some months. This expression has been bottled at 46.1% ABV (92.2 proof).
The Swedish distillery has produced around 20,000 bottles, and most of these have been reserved for the market in Sweden. That leaves only 8,000 for selected, global markets.
The Whisky
Mackmyra Ten Years is pale gold in the glass with medium tears. It is a malty dram on the nose, with toasted cereal notes and a little touch of yeast. It is also fresh and fruity, with notes of warm peaches and little hints of pears and plums. There are also some vanilla notes, with a slight touch of toasted oak.
The whisky is mellow and medium-bodied. Lighter than the nose, it starts with its fruitier side and some floral touches. There are peaches, pears and bananas, and also that malty side. It is slightly spicy, with hints of rhubarb.
The finish is quite lengthy and spicy. Those fruit notes fade to leave some vanilla and malty touch.
Mackmyra Ten Years is a really interesting dram. It is complex and well-balanced, and a wonderful expression for such a young distillery. On the other hand, due to the limited quantities of such special release, the price may be a little bit higher of what you may expect for this kind of whisky.
The Price
Mackmyra Ten Years is only available (officially) in selected markets. In the UK it’s retailed around £70, with prices in the rest of Europe going from €60 to €87 depending on the country.
