Danish whisky is relatively new to Scandinavia. Denmark has a heritage in brewing, home to possibly one of the world’s best beers. Plus local distilleries creating herbal and fruit styles of aquavit and schnapps. Government restrictions for many years controlled what alcohol could be produced across the country, and in relaxing these rules many new distilleries have grown.
As a country is has a long tradition for growing grain – rye and barley alongside wheat and other grains.
Many of the distillers in Denmark are fiercely trying to establish an industry definition on what it means to be Danish whisky. With inspiration from the way new Nordic cuisine has established itself, it is important that Denmark do the same with Danish whisky. The Danish climate is optimal for growing barley and rye and therefore for Danish whisky production.
Almost all Danish distilleries run tours or have a visitor centre in some form, but you may need to book ahead to find a tour on the day you want to visit and one that is not in Danish or German.
Visit Denmark‘s website holds a list of the best Danish distilleries to visit and explore.
Distilleries
Stauning
Located on the west coast of Jutland near the small fishing village also name Stauning. It started in 2005 and it often quoted as being the catalyse of the Danish whisky industry. Stauning floor malts 100% of the rye and barley grains they use. These grains have been grown by local farmers, which is relatively rare in many parts of the whisky world. When they add smoke to their whisky they use local heather as well as peat.
Thy
Located on the northern west coast of Jutland since 2009, Thy focuses exclusively on organic whisky made from modern and heritage grain grown on their own fields outside the distillery. All grains are malted onsite in a self-designed-and-built malting drum over a slow nine day process. When their whisky is smoked they use traditional beechwood. Thy matures their whisky in a warehouse that is missing bits of wall and is full of holes, letting the local coastal environ have full impact on the casks. Thy have created their whiskies with a distinctly Danish mindset of making the best possible product using local ingredients, mainly traditional processes, and providing transparency about the ingredients and the process.
Visit Thy website to find out more.
Mosgaard
Mosgaard is a micro-distillery, with processes and craft methods based on the Scottish whisky tradition. They have been in production since 2015. Located in the south eastern coast of the island of Funon. They make organic gin alongside their organic single malt whisky. Mosgaard use a local barley grain variety that is grown and malted for them by the local National Park. Like many other Danish distilleries you will find their whisky released in limited batches and featuring a variety of cask maturation styles.
Visit Mosgaard website to find out more.
Copenhagen
Producing 100% organic whiskies and other spirits using contemporary distillation. Currently producing small batch styles of single malt whisky, Copenhagen Distillery is focusing on supporting the cocktail lifestyle that is so highly regarded in Copenhagen city. Founded in 2014 and located in the southern neighbourhood of East Amager. Their bottles are instantly recognisable and highly sought after.
Visit Copenhagen Distillery website for more about their range.
Fary Lochan
With a desire to create a product that reflects the Danish flavours that represent the region, this small family run distillery produces small batch whiskies using local ingredients. They uniquely smoking their single malt with nettle picked at the height of summer for a character that they describe as ‘peated, oily and full-bodied’. All of their spirits use local ingredients and are made and matured at the distillery. Fary Lochan was founded in 2009 and are located in the central region of Jutland.
Visit Fary Lochan website for more.
