I have finally managed to get my hands on the Mackmyra Preludium:03 – Sherry & svensk rök (Sherry & Swedish Smoke). It is not all that easy to find these older releases. Now I just have to find the Preludium:02, and I will have tried the whole series.
The Mackmyra Preludium:03 – Sherry & svensk rök was largely matured in 1st fill ex-bourbon casks, and finished in ex-Sherry casks. It contains both spirit distilled at the Mackmyra pilot distillery (1999-2002) and from their first proper distillery (2002-). This means the whisky is 3 or 4 years old. This release was limited to 17000 bottles.
Nose: Powdered sugar and coconut. This is bourbon cask matured, that’s for sure. And pretty decent casks as well. Surprisingly well integrated and appealing on the nose. Not very complex, mind you, but it works. It’s solid and well made. The peat is mild, with notes of chocolate and green notes – which could very well be from the juniper that Mackmyra uses to “smoke” their malt.
Taste: Very smooth and rich mouthfeel. A bit raw to the taste. Bitter-ish and a tad more brutal than I had expected. Took me by surprise there, actually. Apples and pears, coconut and vanilla. Bitter wood smoke.
Finish: Medium long finish. Massive and spicy. Oaky, mint and grass.
Comments: Lovely nose, promising a bit more than it could keep. Still a solid dram.
