World Whisky 2016

When we think of Whisky producing nations we inevitably think of Scotland, Ireland, Japan; maybe some will also think of India & America. Wales and England just creep in because where we live we know about their whiskies – ask an American, ask a Japanese, ask an Indian - the chances are that they will never have heard of whiskies from England and Wales. There are many countries out there producing whisky (or whiskey) that even some whisky aficionados will not know about. Tonight’s tasting was an eagerly anticipated event where we would get a chance to try whiskies from Iceland, Finland, Germany & Holland. An Indian whisky was also thrown in for good measure.

The whiskies tasted during the evening were:

Floki “Young Malt” - hailing from Iceland this is technically not a whisky as it is aged less than 3 years. Bottled at 47% and a surprisingly dark straw colour for such a young whisky – some caramel added perhaps? This smells like a young whisky, so a little bit raw, but raisins there in big measure, some oakiness, some burnt sugar Adding water brought out floral hints. The youthfulness and raisins are first to hit the taste buds, maybe slight creosote flavour and then some lighter notes coming through – water melons maybe? The finish is short and fiery possibly more like a schnapps than a whisky. This does have the makings of a good whisky, but it needs a few more years’ maturation.

Teerenpeli “Karhi” – from Finland, declared as 6-8 YO, so by whisky rules that makes it a 6YO. Matured in Madeira casks and bottled at 43% this gave aromas of sweet apples and light fruits, some barley and corn flakes in the mix as well. Add a few drops of water and some peaty notes develop. Quite sweet, maybe akin to a Bourbon with a sweet fruity palate and a bit of spice. Finish was quite short and peppery leaving a slightly bitter taste on the palate. The bitterness seemed a little more pronounced with water.

Glen Els “Distillery Edition” – NAS from Germany with a distinctly Scottish sounding name. You have to love those marketing people! Finished in a sherry cask and bottled at just under 46% with a nice copper colour. On the nose the sherry cask is evident with dark fruit and some sweetness. A light hint of smoke. Adding water just flattens the aromas. Sweet, sherried and fruity in the mouth with a little bit of spice towards the end and a fruity peppery finish makes this a very pleasant dram.

Zuidam “Millstone” – a peated 5YO from Holland. Gold in colour and bottled at 40% with smells of musty vegetation, mild cheese (maybe Edam?) and leather. Water brings out the smokiness. Definite peat on the tongue and a slight saltiness, finishing with a peppery heat. Water mellows the flavours and the taste, but doesn’t really add anything. This would probably have been better bottled at around 46% to give it a little more ‘zing’.

Paul John “Bold” – A peated whisky with NAS from India bottled at 46% (that’s more like it!). Copper coloured with smoke very noticeable to the nose; also slightly medicinal (Elastoplast?) and fruity. Some detected a plastic odour. Some heat initially to the taste with peat coming through and a good peppery finish.

 Then it was time to rate the whiskies. Interestingly the two most expensive whiskies of the evening captured the bottom two ratings and trailing by quite a long way in last place was the Icelandic Floki. A disappointing result for the price (around £60 for 70cl) - it would be good to try a more aged version when available as it did have some potential. In fourth place was the Teerenpeli from Finland; also retailing around £60. In third place was the Paul John from India. In a creditable second place was the Glen Els from Germany only slightly behind the Zuidam from Holland.


1. Zuidam - Millstone
2. Glen Els - Sherry Cask Distillers Edition
3. Paul John - Bold
4. Teerenpeli - Karhi
5. Floki - Young Malt

All-in-all a very enjoyable and educational evening – some of the pronunciation may have been a little dodgy though ;-)

Blog written By Sean McCarrick