A brand new entry from Stauning - get excited!

Stauning quickly became my favorite Danish and Scandinavian whisky producer after I got to try their core range earlier in 2021, and I was thrilled to have them on the podcast a few months later. Founded by a circle of nine friends in 2005, Stauning continues to highlight their Danish terroir and surrounding landscape.

In this new release, titled Stauning Barley, the barley used for the 100% malt whisky comes from local fields of Quench barley, a high-yield varietal that can stand up to the harsh winters of the Danish coast as well as the milder climes of the UK, central Europe, and even Australia. From the Stauning website: “This [variety] carries a distinct taste filled with malt, hops and fine notes of citrus and honey.”

Alone, this single malt whisky has a distinct flavor profile from that of English, German, or American barley, even if from the same strain. For this release, though, Stauning went three steps further, finishing the whisky in Madeira and Ruby Port casks for a year after four years of aging in an ex-bourbon barrel.

The big question, as always: how is it?

Excellent and unexpected. It starts off with the eye - a rose/zinfandel hue. Then the first sniff: fruit upon fruit, not intense necessarily but full for sure, perfume-y in a great way. The rest works just as well. My only complaint, if it could be called that, is a bit of raw graininess I get towards the end of the palate and finish, but it’s not raw in the way a too-young craft bourbon or rye might be. It’s more…how can I describe it…more about tasting the malt underneath. The malt is combatting some heavy-hitting finishes here, and perhaps that’s why the proof on this is a bit higher than other Stauning releases: to let more of the underlying malt come through.

Either way, it works. This is an excellent whisky, and one that, while not perfectly balanced, clearly shows all aspects of its character. The ex-bourbon cask, Madeira, and Ruby Port all show up, as does the malt. This is a match that works because nothing is lost. I remain impressed by Stauning - keep it up!

A bottle of this product was provided at no cost from the company. While appreciated, full editorial control remains with me.

Stauning Barley Limited Edition Single Malt Danish Whisky: Specs

Classification: Danish Single Malt Whiskey

Origin: Stauning Distillery

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 103 (51.5% ABV)

Age: 4 Years Old

Location: Denmark

Stauning Barley Limited Edition Single Malt Danish Whisky Price: See Local Market: UK/Denmark/Germany Exclusive

Official Website

Stauning Barley Limited Edition Single Malt Danish Whisky Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Rose verging on zinfandel. Medium rims and thin legs.

Nose: Ooh - that’s beautiful! Vinous to a 10 - sweet, fruity, mildly floral. The port and Madeira shine first, overtaking the bourbon for a time. No hint of proof. Bitter marmalade and white grapes enter, with wooodsmoke at the end.

Palate: The Madeira is first up here, joined quickly by ember-driven woodsmoke. Grapefruit piths and tip-of-the-tongue spice. Malt opens up in a grand way, with a characteristic Danish grain note. The port/red wine is in the background. Mouthfeel is coating and spicy, thin-to-medium bodied, with coconut and toasted oak rounding out the profile. Mouthwatering.

Finish: Fruity and grainy, reminds me of muesli with a full-fat milk. A little raw barley - kasha, even - appears on a long and complex finish. Keeps showing different facets, like the end of a fireworks show where they’re just throwing everything out of the cannon.

Overall: Excellent. The nose and finish are fantastic, though that palate still has a bit of raw grain (not in a bad way). All of the casks show themselves well at different times, and the rest is riveting as it sits on my tongue.

Final Rating: 7.9

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Old Label Batch 4 or 2, Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (Stagg Jr. Batch 10, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)