We already tried Finnish whisky from Teerenpeli brewery / distillery some years ago. They were well made but failed to leave a deep impression. Now we’re having a Teerenpeli single cask exclusive to Kirsch Import in Germany. It was matured for seven years in an ex-sherry cask and came out with a massive 70.5% ABV. That’s how cold Finland is: angels simply freeze to death. Now cask strength whisky is fine, but isn’t this just masochism?
(My personal strength record is still the Belgian Owl 53 months, although the 2011 release of George T. Stagg comes close)
Teerenpeli 7 yo (70,5%, OB for Kirsch Import 2021, single sherry cask #09122013A, 50 cl, 276 btl.)
Nose: buttery and floral notes at first. Brioche. Vanilla fudge. Aniseed. It feels a little restrained at full strength though. A few drops of water bring out a blackberry sweetness, slightly musty hints of herbs / oak shavings and a bit of toffee sweetness. Echoes of gingerbread and a bright citrus note as well.
Mouth: quite a challenge, neat. Sweet berry flavours, toffee and plenty of spice. Liquorice too. Water, please. This brings out a bit of caramel sweetness, stewed plums, oranges, redcurrants, raisins, as well as some pepper, a light bitter touch and savoury herbs.
Fin(n)ish: long, intense. Hints of dark chocolate with salt flakes.
A nice whisky, much better than the expressions I had five years ago. It takes some fiddling with water to make this work and to bring out the quality of the spirit (or the cask?). Around € 85, still available from several stores in Germany.