Smögen 8 Year Old (2020 batch)

This bottling combines seven former bourbon casks and one ex-sherry cask, bottled at 59.8% ABV. Initially, the aroma presents a blend of gentle sea air, fields of barley, smoked meats, and smooth orchard fruit. This is followed by a subtle sherry character with notes of damp grapes, cocoa fragments, and toasted hazelnuts. It then develops into tender, slow-cooked jackfruit, apricots, and crystallized lemon zest, transitioning to ginger, cloves, and a sensation of gauze, accompanied by a strong alcohol sting. The palate offers a medium to full body, beginning with a moderate tartness and a mild spice that gradually subsides into the taste of lightly salted grilled seafood. This is joined by creamy orchard fruits, chocolate-covered raisins, and toasted hazelnuts. The flavor progresses to sautéed apples, apricots, and tart lemon sweets, leading into ginger, cloves, and the scent of scorched hay, all with a significant alcohol burn. The finish is of medium duration, featuring a moderate peppery spice, lemon meringue, baked clams, dark chocolate, damp grapes, and scorched hay bales. This is an exceptional whisky, reminiscent of a Swedish take on Octomore. The nose is a delightful fusion of smoke, ocean notes, light sherry, and creamy fruits, which carries through to the palate with a slightly amplified spice. The immaturity is noticeable in some mildly tart fruits, leading to a spicy conclusion with some sour confections, seafood, and peaty, barnyard-like elements. I'm very impressed with this offering from Smogen and would be keen to sample their spirits with a more advanced age statement. At approximately $125 for 500ml, the price is steep, but it reflects a very high-caliber product from a small, independent distillery. If you encounter a bottle and are curious about Swedish whisky, I'd suggest giving it a try.

My final evening in Hawaii…and I find myself on the balcony in Hilo, facing the crashing waves against the lava rocks. This location feels worlds away from Sweden, yet here I am enjoying one of my favorite European distillery's products, a pour shared by a friend. This is what a young Ardbeg aspires to be. Smoke and peat aromas emerge immediately upon opening. Peaty, smoky, and lemony on the palate. It's considerably better than its 8 years would suggest. When compared to the Ardbeg 8, there's no contest. This is a far superior product, focusing on the spirit itself rather than marketing hype. It's well-crafted…and yes, it carries a high price tag, as Smogen products typically do, but you're receiving a premium product that outperforms any Islay whisky of similar age.

The only Swedish distillery I can completely endorse. This offers a fantastic peaty experience and is truly excellent stuff! Mmm-mm!