Eiktyrne Fransk Eik Countdown 3

Eiktyrne Fransk Eik Countdown 3, 3 YO, 48.4 %

The latest release from Det Norske Brenneri, Norway, is the start of yet another series of whisky releases. A countdown towards a whisky matured 100 % in French oak. This is Countdown 3, then in a year or more we will see Countdown 2 etc.

I managed to track down Jon Bertelsen, the Master Blender at Det Norske Brenneri, and he shared a few more details on this release:

“About 70 % of the maturation has been in French oak. We intend to reach 100% French Oak after the three preliminary ‘Countdown bottlings’. Hopefully we achieve this in 2024, but it really depends on when the whisky is ready to be released.

Matured partly (for less than a year) in new Limousin oak; which is softer than the oak from the ‘planted oak forests’ in France, and which gives tannins much faster than harder wood.

When we have the wanted influence (tannins and other flavours) from the very active Limousin wood, we give the spirit a final maturation in French oak ex-Sauternes casks. We are not allowed to disclose the winery we get those casks from.

The remaining 30 % of the contents of this release has simply been matured in oak casks of unknown origin; all we know is that they are from somewhere on Earth.”

The contents of this release is a vatting of 3, 6 and 9 year old whisky. The Eiktyrne Fransk Eik Countdown 3 is limited to 1939 bottles.

You can buy the Eiktyrne Fransk Eik Countdown 3 in Norway at NOK 635 (13634502).

Nose: Mild chocolate, rich caramel, dried fruits. Hints of cut grass. With time a soft oakiness. Very balanced, soft and appealing nose.

Taste: Very rich and complex. Cool, with a sugary sweetness. Dried fruits, mild spices and hints of mint.

Finish: Medium long finish. Greener still now, but it retains the rich and somewhat spicy fruitiness.

Comment: Well, this is a countdown I will be following closely!

Score 86/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas

This is Nordic whisky review #293 here on Whisky Saga. See them all here.