Review | Kyrö Malt Oloroso Rye

This malt rye whisky is part of the core portfolio from the Kyrö Distillery Company. This is located in the village of Isokyrö, on the banks of the river Kyrö, in Finland. It is malted rye whisky aged in three barrel types: new American oak, ex-bourbon barrels and ex-Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. All Kyrö (pronounced ku-reu) malt rye whisky is exclusively made using malted Finnish rye. Using this single grain is a key part of Kyrö distillery’s identity.

The Kyrö Distillery Company begins with a somewhat unusual story. The five founders met together in a sauna and began discussing big ideas while enjoying a rye whisky, as is commonplace in Finland we are told. They concluded that given rye grows in abundance in the Finnish climate, why not try to make whisky from this local grain.

Their first distillation was produced in the house of one founder’s parents and the nearby Beer Hunters, a brewery, distillery and a restaurant in Pori. Since that time they have built a distillery in an old dairy building and production began from the site in 2014. This puts them at the forefront of the Scandanavian craft whisky movement. Kyrö produce a range of gins, vodka and liqueurs as well as their whisky.

Their core range of whiskies includes a rye malt aged in new American white oak casks, an malt rye smoked with alder wood and matured in ex-bourbon, French oak and new American white oak barrels, and a peat smoked rye aged in new American oak, ex-bourbon barrels and additionally some Kyrö malt ex-bourbon barrels. Kyrö Malt Oloroso Rye is bottled at 47.2% ABV and is readily available across Europe for €65 / £55.

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Our Tasting Notes

The colour is coppery amber and the nose is highly fragrant. Aromas of walnut and sweet, earthy rye bread dough kick things off. Then comes marzipan, sweet spices, especially black cardamon, and menthol with a twist of fresh tobacco leaf. Hints of sour cherry, caramel and maple syrup sit in the background and are joined by further hints of sweet vanilla, dried raisins and mulberry leaves.

On the palate this whisky feels luscious, rich and spicy. It has a lovely bready mouth feel with the rye dough, sweet vanilla and maple syrup to the fore. It is a delicious mix of sweet and savoury notes that work superbly in balance. Raisin, brazil nut and walnut skin follow, as do further notes of milk chocolate and dried cherry. Hints of dessicated coconut and dried apricot also sit underneath, as does a hint of green eucalyptus.

The finish is a littler spicier than the nose and palalte. The rye influence really shines now and the whisky becomes warmer and drying towards the end. There is a nutmeg and mace-like spice, plus a good pinch of white pepper. These are accentuated by some freshly sawn oak and a hint of bitter coffee grounds.

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What’s The Verdict?

This is a delicious whisky. It is unusual to have a rye whisky with sherry cask influence and this whisky does so with such a deft touch. It makes us wonder why more do not use this combination. The balance is spot on. The rye style is bold and spicy yet balanced with the sweet fruitiness and richness coming from the cask. Kyrö have pulled off a real cracker here and you should give it a go. Released at a good price too, given the quality.