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Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Mackmyra Special 06 "Summer Meadow" Swedish Single Malt Whisky

Yesterday I reviewed Special #5. Today it's Special #6. In addition to the Special series, Mackmyra also has a Seasons series, Moment series, a core range and countless other limited editions, including a Motörhead whisky.

Sommaräng—or Summer Meadow for we English-speaking drinkers—was "matured on several different cask types of 30 to 200 litres, out on the island Fjäderholmarna" according to their official site, and Master of Malt says it was aged "in both ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks".



Distillery: Mackmyra Svensk Whisky
Range: Special
Special #: 6
Region: Sweden
Type: Single Malt
Age: ???
Maturation: see notes above
Release Year: Summer 2011
Alcohol by Volume: 46.8%
(Thank you to Eric S for the sample!)

NEAT
The nose is boldly floral and malty. Good notes of peach skins and tablet. Hints of sandalwood and musky cantaloupe. The palate is violently floral, which I never knew was a thing until now. I'm drinking violets, geraniums and rose petals. It's slightly soapy too. Way behind the flowers and soap is a decent spiciness and maltiness. It finishes all perfumy, specifically on rosewater. A bit of heat and bitterness.

WITH WATER (~40%abv)
The nose has become more roasted, toasted and ashy. No more flowers. Some fresh stone fruits and dried cranberries. The palate is SOAP. It's very difficult to swim through. Eventually I find a bitter herbal note and sandalwood. The finish is mostly rosewater and hand soap. Hints of peaches and malt in the distance.

WORDS WORDS WORDS
A beautiful nose, definitely striking of a summer meadow. But the palate is too close to perfume for me. The nose is great with water too, but the palate is nearly undrinkable when diluted. I calibrated my palate beforehand, then actually tried this alongside Special #5, which had no flowers in the palate and was devoid of the soap problem.

I haven't seen anyone else list the soapy notes in his or her reviews, so just to be openminded, I'll encourage you to look herehere and here for alternate takes on Special #6.

Availability - Moderately scarce, though not very difficult to find
Pricing - somewhere between $45 and $70
Rating - 73 (low 60s when diluted)