Mackmyra Midnattssol was the second release in a new limited range that takes over from the Mackmyra Special series. The series is based on the seasons. Midnattssol means Midnight Sun and represents the summer. Recently it was followed up by Mackmyra Iskristall, the winter edition.
The Swedish distillery produced this expression from a combination of American and Swedish oak casks that previously held sherry and bourbon. About half of the final composition was then finished for about five months in casks that contained Swedish wine made from birch sap. Mackmyra doesn’t mention an age statement but it’s said to be 7 to 8 years old.
Mackmyra Midnattssol (46,1%, OB 2014)
Mackmyra Midnattssol (46,1%, OB 2014)Nose: honey and quite some floral / grassy notes. Lots of berry fruits and banana. Walnuts. There’s also a clear woody side, with freshly cut wood (maybe not oak but rather pine wood), cloves and some resinous notes. Different, quite nice, but a little spirity as well.
Mouth: spicy with a spirity touch again. Active wood. Mint and pepper. Fairly dry, but with a little berry and citrus sourness hidden below. Lemon zest. Maybe lime blossom. A couple of herbal notes as well.
Finish: settles down a little, with a grapefruit bitterness and wood spices.
I’m not sure what birch wine is like – maybe this unique finish is what makes Midnattssol taste really woody. Interesting experiment and not a bad result. Around € 75.
Score: 80/100