Kyrö Wood Smoke

Unexpected to find this here. On the nose, there's youthful wood upfront, quite raw with some wintergreen mint, then caramel malt richness emerges. It has a rye bourbon character. That's a lot of wood. The malt is also present, sweeter and richer than a non-malt American rye. Notes of anis, then vanilla and some bacon. Some pure sugar notes. Taste brings cherry, chewy oak, smoked anis, and funky oak. The finish is long with smoky notes. This screams small barrel oak and young, funky notes, but it's executed very well. Final thoughts - adding water doesn't change much, but it's best left as is. Think of it as a softer Texas whisky. I'm giving it a 2.0. It's peculiar and distinct, but it's a pretty standard whisky. This costs around $50 and is one-of-a-kind. I think it's worth it, though there are many things that could be considered worth it.

A complex Rye Whisky from Kyrö Distillery in Isokyrö Finland, smoked with alder wood, aged in ex-bourbon, French oak, and new American white oak barrels before being bottled at 47.2% ABV. It begins with an aromatic profile featuring notes of grain, wood, earth, meat, herbs & spices; its complex journey adds notes of rye bread with honey-glazed smoked ham; leading to a long & warm conclusion with notes of oak, alder wood smoke, pepper, vanilla, caramel & tar.

Smoked grilled lemons and furniture polish on the nose. The palate is sweet and honeyed. The finish features more of the smoked furniture polish, like biting into a lacquered footstool. It possesses almost Aquavit-like medicinal qualities. The medicinal iodine note is not a combination I enjoy… unfortunately, I had to discard the dram due to my strong dislike.

Similar to a gentle bourbon, but it carries that familiar funky note found in the peat smoke version. The finish is rich with oak and malt, plus a whisper of vanilla and honey. The smokiness is restrained, yet it offers a campfire aroma and a charred essence. It's akin to starting a fire with good wood in a slightly damp woodland.

The initial smoky impression is quickly overtaken by an unpleasant medicinal quality and a harsh finish. It certainly has a distinct flavor profile, but I found the unsmoked version to have a better taste.

Very faint campfire smoke. Tastes include honey, damp smoked wood, bread dough, and lemon furniture polish. The unique flavors mask the youth of the whiskey. I'm uncertain if I'd purchase it again, but I'm glad to have tried it.