All change at Mackmyra - Virvelvind - their last Moment?

Swedish distillery @Mackmyra have released 36 exclusive small batch expressions featuring numbered bottles from unique casks. The latest, Virvelvind, is the last in the series.

I've tried a number of them and they are often unusual, let's see what it's like...

I've written about Mackmyra many times, enjoying a number of their Moment and Seasonal Releases, so just a quick recap of their history:

"The idea to produce a Swedish whisky was conceived by eight friends in a mountain cabin back in 1998. To ensure they stayed in touch after studying engineering together, the group had a tradition of meeting up in Sälen once a year. This time, purely by chance, everyone had brought along a bottle of whisky. During dinner, one of them wondered why there was no Swedish malt whisky, and, if it was possible, why hadn’t anyone already done it? The question remained unanswered but, before long,the vision to become pioneers and produce the first Swedish malt whisky took shape. One year later, in 1999, Mackmyra Svensk Whisky was established. "

On to the whisky then!

There have been thirty five previous Moment releases, Mackmyra's "Most Exclusive Expressions", "Small batches - numbered bottlings" featuring  "unique casks and collaborations".

Moment Virvelvind has a similar recipe to Medvind, their very first Moment release, the casks have been stored for significantly longer and were all filled in 2007 or 2010:

• 42% 1st Fill Bourbon, 200L, from 2007
• 32% 1st Fill Bourbon Rök, 200L, from 2010
• 13% New Svensk Ek, 100L, pre-aged whisky from 2010
• 13% 2nd Fill Oloroso, 200L, pre-aged whisky from 2010

Distillery notes: 

Moment Virvelvind is the last expression in the exclusive Moment series where the unique and special casks get the attention they deserve in very limited editions. To close the circle, Moment Virvelvind got its inspiration from the first edition (Moment Medvind). A slightly peated whisky with red apples, pear and fresh citrus tones and of course, Swedish oak as the backbone. A grand finale to say the least.

Nose: Sweet fruit in the shape of pears and red apples is balanced by distinct citrus, vanilla and muscovado sugar. All surrounded by a veil of smoke. 

Taste: Soft oak tones, acidic and pomerans. Madagascar vanilla, fudge ripe pear complemented with a light volatile smoke of peat and juniper.  

Aftertaste: Long aftertaste with tones of juniper and lime. Aromatic finish with tobacco leaves and oak.

My thoughts:

Appearance: Mid gold in the glass, swirls cling as a thin line, take a n age to bead up and fall as slow thin legs 

 

Nose: Gentle smoke, sweet orchard fruit: apples, pears, apricots; and a hint of honey. A little time and air offers brown sugar, almonds and orange zest.

Palate: Thick slightly spicy arrival, salted caramel, gentle smoke and honey. Immediately drying. The fruit and brown sugar from the nose are here along with hints of oak, orange pith and raisins. Nice!

Finish: Lingering peppery spice, orchard fruit and orange pith.

Thoughts: The final release in a treat series showcasing Mackmyra's breadth of spirit and maturation styles. Going back to your roots is always a good idea and with this release they've showcased what excellent spirit the distil and mature. A really nice dram for a summer BBQ.

Many thanks to @Mackmyra for the sample!

Distillery photos courtesy of Simon @TheWhiskyNovice

So what's this "All Change" stuff then?

After 9 years of releasing their twice annual seasonal whisky they announced that Limousin would be their last.

After 12 years of releasing their occasional Moment series they announced that Virvelvind, the 36th, would be their last.

And after 18 years as part of the team, and more recently as Master Blender, Angela D’Orazio left the company.

So these three things might not be related but it shows that change is afoot at Mackmyra and I for one can't wait to see what comes next!