Svenska Eldvatten is an independent bottler in Sweden, run by Tommy Andersen and Peter Sjögren. Their bottlings (whisky and rum), with nice minimalist labels, have a decent reputation in Sweden and start getting noticed abroad.
Today we’re trying a 1979 single cask blend. That means the malt and grain components were blended at birth in November 1979, and matured together in a sherry butt for over 33 years.
Vintage 1979 – 33 yo blend (52,2%, Svenska Eldvatten 2013, 197 btl.)
Vintage 1979 – 33 yo blend (52,2%, Svenska Eldvatten 2013, 197 btl.)Nose: very nuanced. Subtle plums and raisins, as well as some redcurrants / blueberries. Some nutty notes and very soft vanilla. A nice sense of oldness too: precious woods and wax candles. The grains are hardly noticeable, or rather very well integrated (a very subtle pineapple / coconut combination). All very subtle but very good.
Mouth: great, that subtle tropical side comes out even more now. A little mango and passion fruit (Irish style). Apricots. Oranges and banana. Definitely less sherried than on the nose. Some green tea, gingery heat and a few zesty notes, but no excessive dryness or woody notes. Pink grapefruit, a little vanilla and honey.
Finish: long, with a fruity sweetness, chocolate and soft hints of walnuts.
A really good blend that is not a blend. Around € 155. Available from the Swedish state liquor shop but also from Master of Malt or the Whiskybase shop.
Score: 89/100