High Coast Älv Delicate Vanilla (46% abv)

From the High Coast distillery in Sweden comes Älv, also dubbed Delicate Vanilla, released as part of the Origins Series. Älv, which translates to ‘River’ in Swedish, is also the name for the river Ångermanälven, which the distillery sits on. The single malt spent six years in first fill bourbon casks, which explains the name, as it’s full of those buttery vanilla flavours we know and love from bourbon casks. In 2016, the whisky was bottled at 46% ABV, with a release of 8,259 bottles.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Lots of creamy vanilla ice cream leads, with bramble berries, salted peanuts and crème brûlée in support. Freshly grated nutmeg, dried grass, apricot yoghurt and little marzipan are present underneath.

Palate: Full-bodied and fruity, the palate begins with plenty of tropical fruit, vanilla and toffee, which mingle with spicy black pepper and a touch of toasted oak warmth.

Finish: A little cereal and dark fruit sweetness linger.