A perk of summer travel through Scandinavia was picking up a bottle of the Stauning Rye Sweet Wine Cask Limited Edition whisky — and what a find it turned out to be.
The bottle itself demands attention. Dressed in black, gold, and yellow, it looks bold and confident on any shelf. But what’s inside is even more interesting.
The Story Behind Stauning Rye Whisky
Located on Denmark’s rugged west coast near the small rural village of Stauning, the Stauning distillery was founded in 2005 by nine friends who shared a love of whisky and experimentation. None of them had formal distilling experience, just curiosity, determination, and a desire to bring whisky-making back to Denmark.
They started small, working out of an old butchery with little more than basic equipment. Today, Stauning is Denmark’s largest whisky distillery, crafting spirit from 100% locally sourced Danish rye and barley, all floor-malted in-house.
The whisky is double distilled in small, direct-fired copper pot stills, heated by open flames reaching up to 650°C. This intense heat triggers a Maillard reaction, caramelising the grains and adding a rich depth and complexity to the spirit. The whisky then matures for three to four years in new American oak barrels.
In 2018, thanks to a £10 million investment from Distill Ventures (Diageo’s spirits accelerator), Stauning opened a state-of-the-art distillery featuring 24 copper pot stills, while the founders remain hands-on and deeply involved.
The Stauning Rye Sweet Wine Cask Limited Edition
This Limited Edition Sweet Wine Stauning Rye whisky spent three years in virgin American oak before finishing in casks that once held Gewürztraminer, Marsala, and Ramandolo wines; an unusual but inspired combination. Only nine casks were used, distilled in 2018 and bottled in 2022. My bottle is number 2125.
Other releases from the distillery include the Stauning Høst Double Malt, the Kaos Triple Malt, and a series of experimental limited editions that showcase Denmark’s emerging whisky scene.
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Tasting Notes: Stauning Rye Whisky Sweet Wine Casks
ABV: 46%
REGION: Denmark
COLOUR: Dark gold
NOSE: Freshly baked rye bread topped with strawberry jam. Notes of sweet, ripe fruit mingle with oats, cinnamon, and honey. Hints of orange zest, black pepper, and a wisp of smoke round it out beautifully. A perfect balance between the rye spice and sweet berries.
PALATE: Warm, layered, and complex. The first sip brings rye spice, ginger, and malt, followed by honey and subtle pepper. Then come waves of oaky vanilla, cinnamon, and baked apple crumble with toasted nuts in the background. Stauning Rye whisky has an oily texture that coats the palate, rich, smooth, and deeply satisfying.
FINISH: Medium in length with lingering notes of oak, roasted nuts, and a fruity sweetness. Think ginger biscuits dusted with black pepper.
RATING: EXCELLENT
Finishing a spicier rye whisky in sweet wine casks is a bold move, one that could easily go wrong. But Stauning absolutely nailed it. The balance between spice and fruit is spot-on, creating a smooth, easy-drinking dram full of character.
If you spot the Stauning Rye Sweet Wine Cask Limited Edition, don’t hesitate. It’s proof that great whisky isn’t limited to Scotland or the States, Denmark is firmly on the whisky map. I’ll definitely be hunting down more from this impressive Danish distillery.
This isn’t your everyday dram, it’s a whisky to savour and celebrate. Rich, layered, and full of depth, it’s a standout for anyone who appreciates quality. Order it on Amazon and enjoy a taste of true craftsmanship.
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