Smögen 2011 8 YO Single Cask Edition No. 8

Smögen 2011 8 YO Single Cask Edition No. 8, 63.0 %

So, I’m playing catch-up with regards to releases from the very fine Swedish distillery Smögen. This time it is the Smögen 2011 8 YO Single Cask Edition No. 8; distilled 2011-06-21, matured in a single virgin Swedish oak Barrique (cask# 21/2011), and bottled in August 2019. A total of 366 bottles were released.

I was a extra curious about this one, and I had dreaded its release ever since I had a preview taste from the casks during a visit at the distillery. I guess it is nos secret I am a little sceptical to virgin Swedish oak casks. I often find them too heavy handed and overpowering. Let’s see what Pär made of it then..

Nose: Smooth and cool as you like - which is bloody impressive as it clocks in at 63 % ABV! The pine forest fires are subdued, more so than I can ever recall in any previous Smögen release. Sweet oakiness (yep, hello Mr Swedish Oak, fancy meeting you again). Pepper, almonds, and grandma’s caramel and honey cake.

Taste: Full bodied and then some. This whisky is strapped to the teeth. Pepper. Pow! Smokiness. Pow! Sweet, sweet oak. Pow! Fizzy ginger, licorice, pine resin. Pew-pew!

Finish: Medium long finish. Big on the oaky sweetness. Sweet wood smoke. Green herbs. Mint and grass. Vanilla and cotton candy.

Comment: Well..I’m still not a huge fan of virgin Swedish oak. Used as a 2nd fill, or with a finish in a different kind of cask, it seems to work very well, but as virgin oak it tends to be overwhelming, putting even a big whisky as Smögen under pressure as it were. Anywho .. as far as virgin Swedish oak goes this is great stuff, Pär!

Score 85/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas

This is Nordic whisky review #287 here on Whisky Saga. See them all here.