The industrious Par Caldenby started distilling at Smogen in 2010, producing under 100 casks per year. Although the distillery may be small volume-wise, it produces whiskies of robust character, driven by long fermentations, worm tub condensers and use of heavily peated malt. Smogen has rightly become a Nordic cult favourite.
This powerful Swede bursts out of the glass, leaving a cloud of coastal peat, seaweed, grilled lime, smoked bacon and leather, with a farmyard note developing with time in the glass. The palate shows a little fruit in the form of pear drops and apricot jam, but peat smoke builds on the palate and demands attention. Some tangy orange shows through on the finish, with waves of smoke lasting on the palate. This dram leaves you in no doubt why Smogen is insuch high demand.
