Our Friends in the North
Scandinavia has become one of the most exciting whisky regions in the world. Cold climates, dramatic landscapes, unusual maturation sites and a willingness to experiment have helped create whiskies that feel both familiar and strikingly different from Scotch. This flight explores three northern voices: Arctic Norway, mountain-aged Sweden, and the river-influenced High Coast.
Take your time with each dram. Nose first, sip slowly, then add a few drops of water if you would like to open up more fruit, spice or texture.
Dram One: Bivrost – Heimdallr
Bivrost comes from Aurora Spirit Distillery in Arctic Norway, described by the producer as the world’s northernmost distillery. Heimdallr is part of Bivrost’s Æsir series, inspired by Norse mythology. It is made with Norwegian heritage barley, Kveik yeast cultures and other yeast strains, then matured in rye and Amontillado-seasoned casks in the distillery’s modern Viking longhouse. The whisky matures slowly in extreme Arctic conditions, with Bivrost noting an average annual temperature of just 0.6°C.
Nose: Apricot, honeyed malt and roasted nuts, with a lift of rye spice and gentle sherry sweetness.
Palate: Caramelised orange, dried fruit and almonds, followed by peppery rye spice, soft oak, cinnamon and a light coastal freshness.
Finish: Long and warming, with nutty Amontillado dryness, chocolate, vanilla and a cool mineral edge.
Self-guided thought: Look for the contrast between warmth and cold: rich orange, nuts and spice on one side; coastal freshness and Arctic clarity on the other.
Dram Two: Mackmyra – Lofsdalenlagret
Mackmyra is one of the great pioneers of Swedish single malt whisky, founded by a group of friends who believed Sweden should have a whisky of its own. Lofsdalenlagret is a particularly unusual release. It was matured at the Lofsdalen Sky Bar, overlooking the Norwegian border at 1,125 metres above sea level. This edition was made from a combination of sixteen small 30-litre casks, using bourbon and sherry casks, and is lightly peated. It was released as part of Mackmyra’s Warehouse Edition series, with 870 bottles worldwide and 231 for the UK.
Nose: Bright and fruity, with citrus, pear, ginger, oak and toasted almonds.
Palate: Orchard fruits and jelly sweets come first, followed by ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fresh green herbs, pepper and almond.
Finish: Aniseed, toffee apple and cinnamon, with lingering malt and fresh oak.
Self-guided thought: This dram is about altitude, freshness and spice. Notice how the fruit sweetness is balanced by herbs, oak and a light touch of smoke.
Dram Three: High Coast – Älv
High Coast Whisky is based in Bjärtrå, Sweden, beside the Ångermanälven river. Älv means “river” in Swedish, and this whisky is part of the distillery’s Origins series, created to reflect the landscape, heritage and geography of the High Coast region. High Coast describes Älv as its most elegant whisky: soft, balanced and shaped by vanilla tones, with the cold, clear river water playing an important role in the distillery’s identity.
Nose: Vanilla, coconut and sponge cake.
Palate: Ripe pear, apple and long, sweet vanilla notes.
Finish: Long, soft and vanilla-led.
Self-guided thought: After the richer spice of Bivrost and the lively mountain character of Mackmyra, Älv brings the flight to a gentler close. Look for softness, balance and clean orchard fruit.
Flight Reflection
This flight shows that Scandinavian whisky is not trying simply to copy Scotch. Each dram carries a sense of place: Bivrost brings Arctic Norway, Norse myth and cask richness; Mackmyra shows Swedish innovation through unusual high-altitude maturation; High Coast Älv offers elegance, river clarity and soft vanilla sweetness.
As a final comparison, return to the first dram after tasting the third. You may find that the Bivrost now feels spicier, the Mackmyra more herbal, and the High Coast softer and more rounded.