Smögen whisky! No, I don’t know why I’m shouting! I mean, I SHOULD PROBABLY TYPE IN ALL-CAPS IF I WANTED TO REALLY SHOUT! But this whisky is indeed called “Barrique!” with an exclamation mark.
Perhaps we’re just all a bit excited about a new whisky from Smögen, which has to be one of the best craft distilleries going. (My criteria for “craft” is stuff like fermentations that can last up to six days – which is more expensive to do than the standard just-over-two-days that most Scotch distilleries adhere to – yet helps contribute to more complex flavour compounds in the spirit.)
So when a sample of Smögen Barrique Exclamation Mark landed on my doormat, I was most pleased. Yes, EXCITED! you might say. Why use that particular piece of punctuation? I look forward to the day when a brand uses an interrobang, which is a weird hybrid of exclamation and question mark, leaving us a little excited but also in-doubt as to what’s going on, which also sums up my thoughts on the state of the Scotch whisky industry.
Anyway, this Smögen is particularly interesting, as it’s 7 years old, making it the oldest release from the distillery to date. This Swedish operation has earned one of the best reputations in Europe, so that’s quite impressive that most of its whiskies have been 6 years or less. It also goes to show that yes, although age does matter, it also really does not matter; we want to know the information, we are curious as to what’s going on, but we also know that there is not really a direct correlation between age and good whisky when the wood that’s being used is completely shagged.
What else can we say about this whisky? It’s made using heavily peated Optic barley, which was one of the most widely planted varieties in the UK for a good long time before varieties like Concerto became the flavour of the day quite literally. Not that many in the Scotch industry will admit that different varieties have different flavours – quite unlike the beer crowd, which is at a more advanced understanding, and which generally uses Optic malt in pale ales for the particular flavours it gives.
After being distilled in 2010 this whisky was then matured in four 225 litre French Oak barriques, which previously held a Bordeaux red wine. I quite like the fact that Smögen is not plastering the bottle with the name of whatever exotic château the wine casks came from (thereby appearing to borrow brand kudos from a greater name, and indirectly, in my opinion, saying that their own produce isn’t up to scratch). Just simply barriques – or should I say: barriques!
Anyway, Smögen Barrique Exclamation Mark is bottled at 60.3% ABV, and only 1,685 were released – at about £100 a go. Is it worth it? Quite pricey, but that’s pretty much the going rate for whiskies of this limited availability made to these standards.
Smögen Barrique! – Review
Colour: tawny – good wood here.
On the nose: delightful. The peat mixes with a little burnt toast, but it’s all smothered in a black-fruit jam. Blackberries, perhaps leaning towards raspberries and cranberries. Buttery. Touches of Madiera. Cloves and nutmeg.
In the mouth: the balance is phenomenal given the massive heavy hitters here: thick, viscous spirit carries a bucketload of red and black fruits as per the nose – blackberries, blackcurrants even, with elderberry too; that in turn fights it out with the potent, Assam-tea-like peat; and then there’s the gorgeous undertone of salted caramel, hazelnuts, the simmering char, that gentle wholemeal toast. The ABV is high yet exceptionally drinkable. All of these flavours are heavy, expressed boldly, and unwavering with time in the glass.
Conclusions
I come here for flavour, and Smögen Barrique Exclamation Mark has it in spades. This is what intense, well-made whisky tastes like. Not for newcomers, perhaps, but it’s aspirational whisky, and one geeks like us will love.
Yes, I’ll allow Smögen to shout about this – and I’ll join them too.
I do think with these 500ml bottles, they should take the picture with less zoom as they never seem quite right when they arrive. £151 for a standard 700ml would seem more pricey….. I guess that is why shrinkflation is happening everywhere. That said, it sounds like a nice dram.
Hi David. Yes, I know what you mean. A lot of the newer, smaller distilleries often go for the 500ml bottles. Perhaps it’s a way in for those who otherwise wouldn’t afford it?
Hi David & Mark, My company is the UK importer. Whilst Smögen bottle in 500ml (occasionally in 200ml, but not 700ml), Smögen is bottled at higher than normal strength. With Barrique at 60.3% there is more alcohol in this 500ml bottle, than in a 700ml bottle at 40%. Small bottles also means more bottles of limited editions to go around, so increasing the chances for Smögen fans to try this dram. Cheers
Good things come to those who are late to the party.
I spied a tweet from Nickolls & Perks the other day that they had a special offer of £20 off this bottling, meaning it was a shade under £85.
A quick search on Malt gave me all the reasons I needed to buy it despite my aversion in the past to 50cl bottles, but a recent purchase of a Kyrö means the tide is slowly turning in what I am buying.
I think a desire for something different, that’s well made and actually has something to say for itself is what I’m seeking, and I seem to have definitely found it in this bottle.
I’ve only had a small dram so far, but look forward to exploring this more when time allows.
Thanks to Mark who’s review guided me into getting my first Smögen.
Cheers, David. £85 is really great value. Hope you enjoy the rest of the bottle!