Mackmyra Brukswhisky

Smell: Pears, more pears, and green apples. Very aromatic, light and fresh. Deeper whiffs show grain notes (cornflakes?). A hint of toffee too. A touch of green banana. Really enjoy this. It's like Old Pulteney 12's apple/pear notes amplified. Taste: A bit thinner than anticipated. You have to take bigger sips to get the full texture of the spirit. More pears and light vanilla. Some very smooth spiciness (black pepper). No bitterness or woodiness. Very fresh, almost like a white wine. A hint of minty peat (hardly perceptible). End: Pleasant but a bit short. No new flavors appear. General: I appreciate this style of fresh spirit. It's reminiscent of OP12, but with even more pears/apples and fewer funky notes (as often found in most OP). I'm giving it a 3.5 due to the delicate fruity notes which are quite lovely (it's close to 3.75). A little more flavor and a stronger finish, and this would have been truly excellent.

My first Swedish whisky. It's actually a very light, pleasant, and highly drinkable spirit. Bottled at 41.2% ABV, with a very pale straw color. On the nose: Grape, plum, white wine, orange candy, and cotton candy (surprisingly). On the palate: It resembles a typical Speyside Scotch, just a very light pear juice. The finish is spicy/salty with ashy notes; the aftertaste is the highlight. Overall, this is a beginner-friendly, entry-level whisky. I don't think it's overpriced and could be enjoyed daily. My rating is 78 out of 100.

Brukswhisky translates roughly to 'usable whisky,' and that's precisely what it is. The intention of this whisky is clear, so don't anticipate challenges, innovation, or extraordinary revelations. It's a well-balanced, easily understood, and nicely finished whisky built on the single malt concept. There's good harmony between the taste, quality, and the relatively low price point. If it were more expensive, I wouldn't rate it as highly, but I respect Mackmyra's goal for this bottle.

Aroma: Vanilla, red berries, and summer fruit. Sweet, cooked fruits. Taste: Young, with more red berries complemented by a solid kick of pepper and spices. Finish: A rather 'hot', spicy finish. Additional berry fruits with a touch of oak and orchard fruit in the aftertaste. This is a young-tasting dram, but it possesses a wonderfully refreshing fruity brightness. A pleasing pour with many engaging layers.

The aroma is sweet and fruity, lots of banana, similar to Pisang Ambon, but also hints of malt and fresh green leaves. The alcohol is quite sharp and almost stings the nostrils. Sweet on the palate, again with banana notes, quite smooth, but still with a bit of a bite. It's interesting but not quite my style, perhaps for a dessert mixer?

The aroma is strikingly similar to a certain well-known brand, with faint hints of banana, vanilla, and oak - quite like a bourbon. You can detect a bit of pear and cinnamon on the palate. The conclusion is where the experience falls short, with an unpleasant bitterness that lingers a bit too long. It's acceptable.