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Swedish Distiller Has New Whisky Finished In Ex-Calavados Casks

Swedish distiller Mackmyra is considered something of a superstar in the whisky world when it comes to countries you don’t think of as much with regards to being whisk(e)y powerhouses. Part of their success has been in innovations in casking their spirits, and the latest example of this is a new seasonal expression just in time for spring that’s finished in ex-Calavados barrels.

The new Mackmyra Äppelblom, according to those behind it, is the result of collaboration between the distillery and top notch French Calvados producer Christian Drouin. What you have here is a 46.1% ABV, non-age statement expression that’s been finished for an unmentioned amount of time in saturated oak casks which previously held Calvados. Calvados, for those unfamiliar with it, is a specialized type of French apple brandy (pears can also be used in the mix).

Mackmyra Äppelblom
Mackmyra Äppelblom (image via Mackmyra)

“The choice of calvados producer was easy,” said Angela D’Orazio, Master Blender at Mackmyra, in a prepared statement. “Christian Drouin creates absolutely fantastic calvados in all respects, with genuine craftsmanship in every product since 1965, he has challenged French traditions in this area, and is therefore the perfect match for Mackmyra’s approach and our enjoyment of experimenting. The light apple tones from our whisky, in combination with the more mature apple flavours from the calvados, give Äppelblom a generous cask character with a fine spicy balance.”

“Calvados is a delicate and fruity spirit,” added Managing Director at Calvados Christian Drouin. “When discovering Äppelblom, I was very impressed by the delicate marriage between the pear and citrus notes of the whisky with the apple and oxydative flavors given by our casks. The result is a very expressive and elegant whisky which will be just perfect at spring time. Since we have a very long aging for our calvados we hardly get the opportunity to use them for a second fill, therefore I was happy to see the result of this innovative aging using one of the very few casks we ship from our cellar.”

As it stands now plans call for Mackmyra Äppelblom to be a limited edition release, pricing at £60, or around $80 USD. There was no immediate mention of what countries it would be available in, but assume at the minimum parts of Europe where other whiskies from this distiller are found. Limited official tasting notes suggest “a fruity and lightly spiced whisky filled with hints of apple, pear, citrus, almond toffee and cedar.” It can be drank alone, or served with a hot apple-based dessert or on a fresh apple sorbet.

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