Review by: dustbunna
Distillery: Mackmyra.
Bottler: Cadenhead’s.
Region: Sweden.
ABV: 48.2%.
Age: 11 years. Distilled in 2008. Bottled in 2019.
Cask type: Bourbon barrel.
Price: Seem to recall £15-20 for 200mL, though I’ve lost the receipt.
Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Bottle open across approx. 4 months, notes taken leisurely across that period. Bold notes taken beneath the shoulder, regular-formatted notes taken further into the bottle past the halfway point, italicized notes taken towards the heel.
Nose: graham cracker, vanilla, douglas fir needles, grape juice, juniper, gets a bit fainter with time, green apple.
Palate: more graham cracker and forest-y notes, a bit of lemon oil, slate, pine resin, some oak tannins.
Finish: medium length ~ more lemon oil, dead leaves, a hint of turpentine.
Conclusion: A decently nice malt, if somewhat woody in a way that feels distinct from typical over-oaked whisky. I’ve tried Mackmyra once or twice before, but never one this old or simply matured in a bourbon cask, and I think this is more enjoyable than what I remember from this distillery in years past. The fruitier notes are bright and forward, and the herbal/woody notes balance out those fruits for the most part. I do think the piney notes are a bit strong and get stronger as the fill level drops, and expect that they would take over a bit more in a full 70cl bottle. It’s an enjoyable one to try, but not one where I’d be any happier with more to play with over time.
Final Score: 79.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 