Bear in mind the Field distillery from Sweden? It has solely featured as soon as on this web site, so far as I can bear in mind: Field Quercus Robur.
Based in 2010, the distillery modified its title to Excessive Coast in 2018, after a model collision with Compass Field. It’s situated 450 km north from Stockholm, precisely at 63° north latitude, the place they’ve winters all the way down to -38°C. Their core vary known as The Origins and consists of 4 expressions, which we’ll examine at the moment. I found it by way of DeinWhisky, who’re promoting a field with miniature bottles of all 4.
Excessive Coast Älv is their lightest providing (each color and ABV). It merely interprets to ‘river’ in Swedish, referring to the Ångermanälven river the distillery sits on.
Excessive Coast Älv ‘Delicate Vanilla’ (46%, OB +/- 2024, first fill bourbon casks)
Nostril: very shiny and fruity, filled with inexperienced apples, pear sweets, tangerine and pineapple. Vanilla certainly, with a touch of marshmallow. Then some pancakes, salted peanuts, coconut ice cream and lemon mousse with a mint leaf.
Mouth: delicate, nonetheless actually high-pitched on inexperienced apples and vanilla. Touches of bitter grapes. Then it turns in the direction of grassy notes, bitter almond and a little bit of youngish oak. White bread and peppermint. Reasonably delicate flavours, which suggests there’s additionally room for a light-weight boozy edge, which reminds us of gin in a means.
End: medium, on recent wooden, vanilla and drying baking spice.
Very light-weight, which I perceive is a aware selection. Total actually clear and really accessible, however lacking some depth and getting a bit of tough in the long run. Obtainable from DeinWhisky or Grasp of Malt as an example.
Subsequent up is Hav, Swedish for Sea. Within the majestic panorama of a world heritage web site, Excessive Coast could be very near the ocean. This expression contains 25% peated and 75% unpeated spirit, from traditional oak (small 40-litre casks although) but in addition Swedish and Hungarian oak.
Excessive Coast Hav ‘Oak Spice’ (48%, OB +/- 2024, calmly peated, virgin oak + first fill bourbon)
Nostril: much more (new) wooden affect, in a warming profile. Cloves, loads of malt notes and hay. Then juniper berries and roasted pumpkin seeds. Mild toasty notes (not fairly smoky), a touch of citrus and a few moist leafy notes. One thing meaty as nicely. Attention-grabbing.
Mouth: much more smoky now, virtually heathery smoke. Citrus once more, with bread crust, freshly sawn wooden, walnuts and black peppercorns. A little bit of salt and wholegrain bread. Hints of ginger and juniper.
End: medium lengthy, firmly on oak spice. Drying toasted notes, aniseed and a delicate meaty edge once more.
Whereas clearly extra full-bodied, the ultra-active wooden kinda overpowers the flashes of genius. The weather are proper, however they don’t discover the proper stability, I’d say. Obtainable from DeinWhisky or The Whisky Alternate as an example. Rating: 84/100
Excessive Coast Timmer ‘Peat Smoke’ (46%, OB +/- 2024, first fill bourbon casks)
Nostril: again to vanilla and custard notes, together with peach yoghurt and all types of biscuity and creamy notes. Peat, however not as sturdy as anticipated. Then a whiff of sauna wooden. One thing diesel-like too, in addition to liquorice root, herbs and tomato stems.
Mouth: the identical mild texture of Älv, with a touch of leather-based, earth and faint vegetal bitterness. Delicate floral hints, with candy mint, tart lemon, grains, ginger and a contact of chilli.
End: not very lengthy. Peppery notes, campfire ashes, nutmeg and a muddy be aware.
Younger Ledaig involves thoughts right here, with vegetal smoke at its core. There’s potential, however I’m positive it might profit from longer ageing. Obtainable from DeinWhisky or Grasp of Malt as an example. Rating: 85/100
Excessive Coast Berg ‘Pedro Ximénez’ (50%, OB +/- 2024, bourbon + PX)
Nostril: good – the sherry mingles properly with the spirit. A lot of fruity notes, half dried, we’d say. Pink grapes and raisins, recent plums and stewed apricots. Additionally buttery biscuits, burnt sugar, pine needles, chocolate and a touch of shoe polish. Turns into darker over time.
Mouth: spicier now. Nutmeg and cloves blended with darkish chocolate. Loads of leafy notes, ginger, burnt cinnamon pastry and a few bitterness. Closely steeped tea with charred lemon peels. Fairly darkish and dry, completely on darkish roast espresso in the long run. Not completely frequent for PX.
End: lengthy, on extra espresso, burnt sugar and a bitter edge.
The nostril set excessive expectations however they aren’t fulfilled on the palate. It leans closely in the direction of roasted and bitter notes in the long run. Good casks, I feel, however I assume they have been small and acted as a stress cooker. Which jogs my memory… bork, bork, bork (sorry). Obtainable from DeinWhisky as an example. Rating: 88/100
