Agitator Chestnut Cask
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.
Tasting Notes
Nose
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.
Palate
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
Marcel 77/100
Agitator Chestnut Cask brings a breath of fresh air to the whisky world and proves that chestnut casks can offer exciting flavor experiences. Its creamy smoothness and unusual smoky note make for an engaging pleasure – you’ll want to take another sip again and again. A clear recommendation for anyone who values character and drinking enjoyment!
Sascha 75/100
The Agitator Chestnut Cask strikes a successful balance between fruity and smoky notes, with the chestnut cask maturation adding an interesting structural depth. Despite its mild, rounded profile, there seems to be untapped potential here for more complex cask variations. A promising single malt that well represents innovative maturation methods in the Swedish whisky scene.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersThis product was kindly provided to us by Agitator Whiskymakare. This does not influence our rating. No payments or other benefits were received in exchange for this provision.
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73/100Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the vacuum distillation in Agitator Chestnut Cask whisky special?
Vacuum distillation lowers the boiling point of the liquid, allowing for a gentler distillation process. This preserves more delicate aromas and prevents overheating, resulting in a milder and more complex single malt.
How does maturation in chestnut casks influence the flavor of Agitator Chestnut Cask?
Maturation in chestnut casks imparts a unique combination of fruity wild berry aromas and a lightly charred wood note. On the palate, creamy vanilla tones emerge alongside more robust leather and herbal notes, as well as an unusual smoky aroma without peatiness.
Why does Agitator Chestnut Cask have no age statement on the bottle?
Agitator Chestnut Cask is a no age statement (NAS) whisky because the distillery focuses on taste and quality of maturation rather than the length of aging. This approach allows greater flexibility in selecting casks and crafting the maturation profile.