Bivrost Vanaheim

I visited Norway some years ago. We traveled through Oslo, Bergen, and Lofoten. Lofoten is situated north of the arctic circle, perfectly pure, where the wild seas meet the rocky shores and small fishing communities. It's one of the most incredible places I've ever been. However, when I think of the arctic, single malt doesn't come to mind. Basic questions arise, such as "where was the barley sourced?" and "it can't possibly get warm enough to facilitate that wood-spirit interaction?" Furthermore, this is finished in teak casks. Teak?!?! Teak is a dense wood that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. While it's a beautiful wood, I wouldn't consider it ideal for finishing a whiskey. In fact, I possess a 300-year-old 2.5-foot Buddha carved from a teak trunk. It's stunning to behold, but I can't imagine it being used in this manner. So... is it any good? Yes. I'm surprisingly pleased with how much I enjoyed it. It's young, I'll concede that. Perhaps under 10 years old. I'd estimate 4-5. But it's very subtle, akin to Hibiki. A floral characteristic emerges, followed by tropical lychees and citrus, and wintermint. The aroma isn't strong, but the palate is vibrant. For $65, this is a definite purchase. Hey, a friend, were you Norwegians keeping this from us?