Nordic Whisky #63 - Spirit of Hven Tycho's Star

Spirit of Hven Tycho's Star, NAS, 41,8 %

Nordic Whisky #63 - Spirit of Hven Tycho's Star

I am happy to present a new release from Spirit of Hven today. The Spirit of Hven Tycho's Star is named in tribute to the astronomer Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), who lived on the island for many years. This whisky was launched at The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in London in October.

I just love the level of detail given for the products from Spirit of Hven. I believe only Box Whisky goes into more detail, but then again they are at an impossibly (fun and) nerdy level. Here are the details on Tycho's Star:

Tycho's Star is made from a mash bill based on three types of barley, Pale Ale Malt for the grassy base notes, chocolate malt for the enticing caramel notes and heavy peated whisky malt to create the leather, liqourice and tar scents.

The carefully distilled spirit has matured on casks made of air dried oak. The casks are 58,20% heavy char Quercus Muehlenbergii from Missouri, 33,44% heavy toast Quercus Petraea from Allier and 8,36% medium toast Quercus Robur from Bourgogne.

Tycho´s Star is bottled at site on Hven at 41,8 vol%, without carbon- or chill filtering, no colouring or additives. It is Organic certified, completely natural, as should be. Every bottle is individually numbered and controlled before being waxed by hand.

I find it very interesting that Spirit of Hven is actively experimenting with different types of malt, for example by using chocolate malt in this release.

For now the Spirit of Hven Tycho's Star is available to buy online from the UK (see Master of Malt or The Whisky Exchange) at around GBP 50. It will be released for sale in Sweden in December 2015.

Nose (22/25): Quite spicy yet very soft at the same time. Milk chocolate, vanilla, bananas, licorice, malt and soft wood smoke. Relatively sweet, I would say, and quite fruity. Give it time and it will also show off mild coffee notes and an herbal touch.

Taste (21/25): The peat is more pronounced to taste. The spices are a bit more aggressive; pepper, ginger and chili up front. Still very fruity; bananas and pineapple. Oily and rich mouthfeel.

Finish (19/25): Milk chocolate, bananas, oak and a touch of ashes. Almost minty - certainly a touch of the herbal that I found on the nose. Feels a bit thin on the finish, and tapers off a bit too quickly.

Balance (21/25): I realize this is intended as an entry level whisky, and for that it works very well.

Score (83/100)

Spirit of Hven Tycho's Star - the sign

Bottle image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas