Kyrö Rye, single malt rye whisky. Cask No 0002. ”Parempaa bordista buliin janoon”. A special bottling from the single cask for the friends of Kyrö. Made from wholegrain 100% Finnish rye. Cask filled 03/07/2014 – Bottled 16/01/2019. Copper pot distilled and matured in a 64 litre American white oak cask. 46,5%.

When I had in 2014 the chance to buy a share of a whisky cask from the distillery which is located almost next to my childhood home, I didn’t hesitate too much. Keeping that in mind I’ll try to be in this review as objective and critical as possible.

If you’re anxious to know what ”Parempaa bordista buliin janoon” means, you have to get a copy of Finnish slang dictionary.

Color: Bronze.

Nose: Huge burst of caraway followed by red berries like red currant.  Also some freshly cut rhubarb or rhubarb pie which my mother use to bake when I was a kid. Beautiful sweet rounded rye sings blues underneath.

Palate: It delivers all that the nose promises: Caraway is in the front which soon tranforms into new oak. Juicy maltiness brings out nice depth to the palate. Notes of red currant vinegar & dried red berries in the middle to give balance, coffee to add fragrance, sweet fresh oak to finalize the
experience.

It has all typical elements of a proper rye whisky, it is loaded with spices and tannins. The strength is spot-on.

Finish: Very dry with a pinch of cocoa powder. The end is sour and a bit woody.

Rairai! Great and very enjoyable whisky we have here – luckily I have a spear bottle.

PS.  I love the smell of caraway seeds but hate it when they overseason crispbread / hardbread (näkkileipä in Finnish) with it – please don’t do it.

kyrodistillery.com in rye we trust