Stauning Smoke Distillery Edition Calvados Cask
Delicate, Juicy, Oak, Vanilla2024-09-08
Smell
From the first whiff, it is clear that this whisky has a powerful personality. Sweet campfire smoke dominates the flavour profile and creates an intense, warm atmosphere. Behind this are notes of green, sour apple, which are intensified by the post-maturing in Calvados casks. There is a slight hint of grain, paired with a subtle note of vanilla. The youth clearly shines through here from time to time.
Taste
The smoky character continues seamlessly in the flavour. The first impression is characterised by dense smoke that envelops the tongue. However, the high abv of 62.2% quickly makes itself felt and provides a certain sharpness, which is due to the young age of the whisky. After this powerful start, the sour green apples come back into play, accompanied by a surprisingly salty undertone and a hint of citrus fruits that bring freshness and vibrancy to the flavour experience. The Calvados influence is clearly noticeable here.
Finish
The finish is surprisingly short for a peated whisky. While the smoke remains dominant, the citrus and apple flavours fade quickly without any noticeable oak notes.
Thoughts
The Stauning Smoke Distillery Edition Calvados Cask certainly creates an exciting profile through the combination of strong smoke and the sour apple notes, which gains uniqueness through the influence of the Calvados cask. The typical fruity apple flavours from the Calvados create an interesting contrast to the smoky and slightly salty notes of the whisky.
However, the overall profile remains rather one-dimensional and weak in its depth. The smoke is undoubtedly the dominant part of this young whisky and does much to cover up minor weaknesses, such as the relative complexity and the not too long finish.