Agitator Chestnut Cask

Rich, Dried Fruits
2024-07-06

The Agitator distillery from Sweden describes itself as a modern whisky producer. Their stated goal is to break with traditions and use new and unconventional methods to produce high-quality single malt. This includes vacuum distillation, which is supposed to be gentler due to the lower boiling point. Today, we get to try one of their core-range releases: full maturation in a chestnut cask.

Smell

The nose is pleasantly fruity from the start. We find dried forest berries paired with a light sugary caramel note. There’s also a subtle acidity, some grape, and a slight charred wood note.

Taste

On the palate, the malt is creamy soft, remarkably mild, and round. The fruit notes give way to a light vanilla. Now we find distinctly more bitter notes. There’s a bit of leather and a somewhat herbal aroma. The wood notes take on a clear burnt tone, creating a smoky experience (not peaty - this is a very unusual type of “smoke”).

Finish

The finish is rather short but extremely mild. Only a slightly tingling but pleasant spiciness remains.

Thoughts

Shedding the old in the name of development and change? Sure, why not! As long as it tastes good. Agitator shows that a maturation process forbidden for Scotch Whisky can yield exciting results. The Chestnut Cask Single Malt is complex and absolutely delicious. However, we suspect that the potential is not yet fully realized. We eagerly await older releases from these progressive Swedes.

Rating: 76/100 - Very Good (Marcel: 77 | Sascha: 75)

Value for Money: 3/5 - Acceptable

Product for review provided free of charge by Agitator Whiskymakare

Preview Image Source: Whiskybase