Roslagswhisky EKO Sherry Oloroso 2x30 2015-2022
Personally handed over by Richard Jansson, the whisky from the small distillery Norrtelje in Sweden was previously produced entirely organically. Organically grown barley from Östergötland is malted at Viking Malt in Halmstad. The unsmoked malt is mashed with yeast and water from the farm's own well and gently distilled in the distillery's copper pot stills. A sign of quality?When we see that this whisky was aged for seven years in 30-litre ex-Oloroso casks, the question inevitably arises: Why is the content of the bottle golden yellow?The question remains unanswered - perhaps also because everything is somehow not round, what we have here in the glass.
Tasting Notes
Nose
We smell juniper, apple, pear and an aroma we can't place. If we hadn't known it was a single malt, we would probably have guessed grappa or a fruit brandy. In general, it has to be said that the whisky doesn't smell much. We still detect a bit of freshly cut wood and a musty spiciness.
Palate
The whisky from Sweden is working in the mouth. At first like a wet towel, afterwards we taste significant wood glue. We also find the freshly cut wood from the nose again. Besides the alcoholic spiciness, subliminal sherry aromas come through after a while. Now and then, some fruity notes of apple and grape flash through.
Finish
The finish is very long and massive with intense red fruits and brown sugar.
Thoughts
Marcel 59/100
Unfortunately, this Roslags whisky comes across more like a piece of wood to chew on than a pleasure – the finish unpleasantly dominates the flavor. Despite the lovingly crafted organic production, it lacks the charm of a well-balanced single malt, and the price is simply excessive.
Sascha 61/100
The seven-year maturation in ex-Oloroso casks leaves an unbalanced impression with dominant wood notes and a lack of aromatic depth. While the whisky does show some structure, the disproportion between the cask character and the fruity components results in a disharmonious overall profile.
Value for Money: Expensive
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Why is the Roslags whisky golden yellow and not darker despite seven years of aging in Oloroso casks?
Although the whisky matured for seven years in small 30-liter ex-Oloroso casks, it displays an unusually light, golden yellow color. This can be due to the cask size, the quality of the casks, or the malt used. The exact cause remains unclear, as sherry casks typically impart a darker color to whisky.
How does the organic production affect the flavor of the Roslags whisky EKO Sherry Oloroso?
The use of organically grown barley and estate water provides a natural foundation that makes the whisky taste clean and unadulterated. Nevertheless, the whisky exhibits rather unusual aromas that are less typical of classic single malts, which can be attributed to the combination of raw materials and distillation.
What special characteristics arise from aging this whisky in 30-liter casks?
Small 30-liter casks offer a larger surface area relative to their volume, which intensifies maturation. This can lead to stronger wood flavors and faster cask influence. In this whisky’s case, intense wood notes and a pronounced sherry character are evident despite the comparatively light color.