Floki Icelandic Young Malt

John went climbing in Iceland two years ago. Not a country that was on my bucket list, until we started researching it for his climb. He came back with unforgettable memories and made us all jealous  with photos of the fantastic scenery and stories about trolls and sheep. It was also a country that allowed us to add to our world whisky collection.

John had great stories about the exciting food such as -Hákarl (putrescent shark meat, which has been preserved) and hot spring rye bread (dark bread that is baked in special wooden casks that are placed close to hot springs and then left for more than 24 hours). 

In Reykjavik, he tried rye bread ice cream from Cafe Loki.  I managed to find the Icelandic rye bread recipe online and have baked it a few times, and it is delicious.  

Also Read:  Mackmyra First Edition whisky

On the way back, in Duty-Free, he picked up a bottle of Floki Icelandic Young Malt “whisky”. Made by Eimvert, a family-run distillery founded in 2009. They make gin, Icelandic Brevvivin and Floki Icelandic Young Malt. At Eimvert, they use only native Icelandic ingredients. 

Production on the Floki whisky started 2013, and the first single malt whisky will only be available in limited bottling from November 2017. Floki is named after one of Iceland’s first explorers, Hrafna-Flóki (Flóki of the ravens). The barley produces on Iceland is slow-growing and has a low sugar content.

Eimverk distillery uses up to 50% more barley per batch to compensate for this. This Young Malt is about a year old, and there is even Sheep Dung Smoked Reserve Young Malt. The bottle is 50c, and the label is  a beautiful Norse inspired design  in black and white.

Floki Icelandic Young Malt Review

COUNTRY: Iceland

ABV: 47%

COLOUR: Warm Gold

NOSE: Raw alcohol, but as this is only 1 year old, this is to be expected. When the alcohol has evaporated a bit, hints of warm oak spices, overripe fruit sweetness and bits of vanilla  come through on this Floki Icelandic Young Malt.

PALATE: Alcohol!  The first sip is quite harsh until it has stood for a whole, but after the alcohol burn, you can taste the beginnings of something delicious. There are hints of oak, malt, vanilla, cinnamon and white pepper.

A honey and fruity sweetness balance it out. Water softens out the harsh alcohol burn and brings more of the sweetness to the forefront.

FINISH: Rather short and spicy.

RATING: GOOD

I don’t think this is a bad start for a spirit that is only a year old. The Floki Young Malt has the right elements to turn into a rather drinkable dram given some time. There is a yummy richness in the background that probably need some more time.

I would love to taste what comes out of the distillery this November when the spirit is a bit older. It will never be the most complex whisky, but I suspect it might turn out rather exciting and drinkable.

Also Read: Slyrs Whisky