Nordic Whisky #89 – Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 4 Megrez

Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 4 Megrez, NAS, 45 %

We have now reached release number four in the Seven Stars series from Swedish distillery Spirit of Hven. I have previously reviewed the Dubhe, Merak and Phecda. The Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 4 Megrez was released on March 4, 2016. This release, as the previous three, takes its name from one of the stars in the asterism Ursa Major (the Plough). The name derives from the Arabic "al-maghriz" (المغرز), meaning “the base” referring to the stars position in the asterism.

This whisky is made from 5% Chocolate malt, 40% Peated malt and 55% Pilsner malt. The distillate has matured on 8,4% French Petraea, 33,4% French Robur and 58,2% American Muehlenbergii. The whisky has had a finish on Spanish Quercus Robur. The 500 litre marrying casks have previously held Pedro Ximénez sherry. The peat level is given at 26 ppm phenols. The release is limited to 2940 bottles at 500 ml.

You can buy the Spirit of Hven Seven Stars No. 4 Megrez in Sweden at SEK 795 (4043902).

Nose (23/25): Wow! What a sublime mix of soft spices (cinnamon, ginger), dark chocolate, oak chips, fresh herbs, raisins and light fruit notes. The peat is very well integrated and is very much a team player here. It is a vibrant whisky - bursting with life, and at the same time it is refined and delicate. This dram very mature for its age!

Taste (22/25): Raisins and dark chocolate dipped in a rich sherry and fruit sauce. It is half dry and mouthwatering at the same time. The peat is here also soft and well-behaved.

Finish (21/25): Medium long finish. There is a delightful sugary and light sweetness to it towards the end. A sweetness that has a hint of something bitter-ish to it, which works very well. It is slightly fizzy as well, and there are notes of cinnamon and ginger. Fun, fun, fun!

Balance (22/25): Wow, this is a very nice dram. The best release from Spirit of Hven so far, in my book.

Score (88/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas