Mackmyra Moment Körsbär // Mackmyra Skördetid

Mackmyra Moment Körsbär and Mackmyra Skördetid are two of the latest releases from the Swedish distillery.

Körsbär is Swedish for cherry: it was matured in first-fill bourbon and first-fill Oloroso sherry casks that were previously filled with sweet cherry wine, combined with different types of small ‘Mackmyra Reserve’ 30-litre casks. It is probably the pinkest whisky I’ve seen!

 

 

Mackmyra Moment Körsbär
(47%, OB 2017, 2400 btl.)

Nose: the fragrant cherry wine is quite obvious. Sweet cherry candy, as well as some strawberry pie, cinnamon pastry and juicy pears. Cassis lemonade. Plenty of vanilla. Subtle floral touches and toasted oak. An uncommon degree of candied notes, but well done.

Mouth: spicy, with some peppery and gingery oak first, before Ginjinha cherries and redcurrants come out. Vanilla. Hints of bitter coffee, menthol and something (saw)dusty.

Finish: medium length, on red wine and bitter herbs, with hints of toasted oak.

Quite an unusual experiment. The result is rather winey, with bitter touches. Nonetheless more pleasant than the average red wine matured whisky. Around € 120. Most of it stays in Sweden, otherwise check The Whisky Exchange.

Score: 80/100

 

 

Then there’s Mackmyra Skördetid. This is a seasonal release (Skördetid means harvest time), made in collaboration with Veneto winemaker Masi who provided some of his 600 litres Costasera Amarone wine cask for a six month finish. Some Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks were also involved.

 

 

Mackmyra Skördetid
(46,1%, OB 2017)

Nose: quite aromatic again, in a modern way (fruit + vanilla + oak). It’s showing juicy plums and pears, whiffs of pink grapefruit, pineapple and grenadine. Freshly sawn oak, vanilla and ginger, clove. Whiffs of cognac. Reminds me of the Inchmurrin 2003 for WhiskyNerds (blood orange).

Mouth: not very thick, but there’s a nice balance of sweet and sour fruits (mirabelles, cassis, raisins). Much more spicy and oaky now (pepper, ginger, slight tannins) as well as a slight alcoholic edge.

Finish: lingering (dried) fruits with plenty of warming oak.

This shows clever oak management, though perhaps a bit too active. The end result is the best Mackmyra I’ve had. Well done. It will be available in Sweden from 17 November but already showing up in other countries. Around € 80, better value! Available from Master of Malt.

Score: 85/100