Swedish whisky may not carry the same immediate recognition as its Scottish or Irish counterparts, yet this Nordic spirit has been quietly and confidently carving out a space for itself in the global whisky scene. Distilleries in Sweden have embraced the tradition of whisky making, infusing it with distinctive Swedish characteristics – from local barley and water to innovative ageing processes that include the use of Swedish oak. The story of Swedish whisky is one of craft, innovation, and a deep respect for nature, reflective of the country's cultural values. A - I love whisky for so many different reasons. It was the cultural link to Scotland with scotch whisky and it’s history and heritage that initially made me interested in it and I’m still learning so much. I’m surprised no-one has made a tv-series or film about some of the characters that have influenced the whisky world because there’s some incredible stories out there. But I also like whisky because it is usually drunk with respect and care, not for the quantity of it, but for the quality. I was more of a wine person from the beginning and even did University courses on wine about a year before I got in to whisky. Gotland Whisky Distillery is situated on the west coast of Gotland on Sweden largest island. The company was started in 2004. This venture did not success at the start and the company was sold to local businessman Anders Stumle. Q - I already read your blog and watch your YouTube videos, but for those who don't know you. Could you tell us a little bit about what you do and how you became a whisky influencer?

A - Like most people who are passionate about a drinks category I’d say it depends on the mood and the setting. Sometimes I love peated whisky, sometimes something sweet and easy drinking. But I must say that I’m weak for older ex-bourbon matured grain whisky where you can get so much flavour for (often) an affordable price tag and as someone with a sweet tooth, grain whisky often offers lovely vanilla ice-cream and Swedish punsch notes that I absolutely love. This got the creative juices and the conversation going. What would it take to create a Swedish whisky?

It is a new and swiftly accomplished private venture. The distillery went on stream on the 7th of August 2010, a mere year and a half after the company was founded in 2009. Ådalen Distillery Distillery The First Edition ( ABV 46.1%) - Introduced in 2008, and the first Swedish whisky produced in large volumes since Skeppets Whisky. I quite like the initiative you can see with some retailers and distilleries where you can only buy one per person or through a draw as it does allow for more people to get the chance to get a hold of a bottle. I think it’s really important to represent different faces in the whisky world to make it more widely known that you don’t have to look a certain way, or be a certain person to be a whisky drinker and this is my way of trying to do that. I’ve never been a person who has enjoyed drinking for the sake of getting drunk and I’d much rather have one dram which takes my attention and time, than doing shots to “catch up” with an atmosphere. There can be so much pressure to drink alcohol and such a dark side to what alcohol can do to people and their lives that I think it's important to remember and respect that as well. So I feel very much at home in a community where there’s so much appreciation for the craft and for flavour and where drinking responsibly comes naturally (for many) because of the way whisky is positioned as a drink.

You can love knitting - and whisky. But if you’re only interested in whisky content, then just press the whisky blog button and it will filter out everything else! Producer Trophies". IWSC. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013 . Retrieved 1 January 2014. A - If you buy a whisky bottle, it’s up to you what you want to do with it. I think it’s a shame when some people that love certain whiskies can’t buy them to drink and enjoy because someone else buys 10 of them to keep for several years and then sell for double the price for the sole purpose to make money but if you have bought the whisky, then it is yours to do with as your please. In 2013 the distillery was awarded Gold Outstanding by the IWSC and Three Golden Stars by the International Taste and Quality Institute for Moment Glöd single malt whisky. [30] [31] a b Nils, Holmqvist (2011-04-04). "Whisky på höga höjder" (in Swedish). Arbetarbladet . Retrieved 1 January 2014.At the same time I feel like there sometimes can also be quite a hysteric must-buy mentality around certain bottles and massive disappointment if you miss out which also feels a little bit unreasonable in some situations. A - My name is Moa and I was born and raised in Sweden but moved to Edinburgh to study in 2015. During my final year I met my boyfriend who just started working in the whisky industry the day after our first date so together we started trying various whisky samples to learn more about where the different aromas and flavours came from. owned. They main purpose is to produce Single Malt Whiskies, but they also have a number of spirits made at the distillery including Eau-de-Vie’s and Gin to Vodka and Rhum varieties. As their main spirit is whisky they have keep it simple and produce a number of excellent Single Malts. Their malts are smooth as well as peated. This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services.

A - A bit of a quirky personality mixed in with a keen interest for flavour. And a bit of everything - I’ve gathered whisky and drinks content with all the things that suit who I am on the blog, both as a way to open up the world more for myself so that I can write about anything that intrigues me, but also to showcase who I am as a person - and I’m not just a whisky enthusiast, but it is part of who I am. Q - Can you describe some of the approaches you receive from the various brands with whom you work and the work you do for them?This is one of the reasons I’ve started up my blog as a complement to the other social channels as it combines my interest for writing and photography completely on my own terms. The word ‘whisky’ also derives from this Latin term, and in Gaelic this is uisge beatha, which has the same meaning, Q - When you're not working with spirits, how do you unwind? Do you have any interests that aren't related to alcohol? Q - You mention on your blog that you are a Content Creator, Freelance Writer, and Spirits Judge. I'm curious how you manage to juggle all of those roles while also posting to all of your social media channels? Swedish whisky is known for its boldness and complexity. Common flavour notes include the sweetness of vanilla and caramel, the fruitiness of citrus and berries, and the spice of oak and pepper. There can also be hints of the local flora, such as heather and pine, which add a unique terroir-driven touch. The cooler climate produces a spirit that is often described as clean and smooth with a long finish.

What sets Swedish whisky apart is its innovative approach to ageing. While ex-bourbon and sherry casks are commonly used, Swedish distilleries also experiment with new types of wood. The use of Swedish oak, which grows slowly in the cold climate and imparts a distinct spicy character to the whisky, is a point of national pride. Some distilleries also use casks that previously held Swedish wine or berries, which can add unique fruity or tart notes to the final product.

Charlotta, von Schultz (2012-12-17). "Här tänker man på procenten" (in Swedish). Ny Teknik . Retrieved 1 January 2014. Jim, Murray (2010). Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2011. The UK: Dram Good Books Ltd. ISBN 9780955472954. Swedish distilleries often employ small-scale, artisanal processes. The fermentation period tends to be longer than average, which can create a richer, more nuanced flavour. The pot stills used for distillation are typically smaller, allowing for greater control over the distillation process and a finer product. While Sweden is fairly new to the world of whisky, with the first distillery opening in just 1999, whisky from Sweden has already made its mark across the globe. There are a number of distilleries scattered across the country, and as the popularity of their current offering rises, we’ll no doubt see an influx of new Swedish whisky brands in the coming years. Q - Can you elaborate on the importance of whisky to you and the relationships you have with your fans?