Nordic Whisky #101 - Braunstein E:3

Braunstein E:3, NAS, 62,3 %

Braunstein E:3

Over the next few weeks I will work my way through a selection of whiskies from Danish distillery Braunstein. The first one out is the Braunstein E:3. It was matured in a new French oak cask (250 litre), bottled on 2011-12-01, with a total outturn of 300 bottles (500 ml each). Still available to buy at DKK 1850 from the distillery shop online.

Nose: Relatively light to start with. Some soft oakiness and mild caramel at first. The second wave, if you will, holds spices and whiffs of alcohol. Red berries, cloves, nutmeg and nuts. With more time tomato plant! and fresh herbs! and mulled wine! How cool is this? It completely changes character after a few minutes in the glass. It really opens up, and what was at first a shy and timid nose blossoms into an extrovert symphony of a nose. If I was to look for any negatives here it would perhaps be that it still has a slight alcohol bite to it.

Taste: Rich and full mouthfeel. Vanilla, honey, soft spices, hints of red berries. A bit oaky.

Finish: Medium to short finish. Warm and sweet. Hints of herbs and grass now, but nothing near as dominant as on the nose. Tends towards a simpler profile in the end, revealing perhaps that it is rather young-ish. The sweetness is slightly artifical here.

Comments: A fantastic nose, and a more 'average' palate.

Score (82/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas