I had the chance to receive a yummy package from Sweden recently, containing a sample of Dálvve, Box Distillery’s first core range bottling! And as the Nordic distillery is soon to be the star of an upcoming Craft Whisky Club box, I thought I would tease you a bit and review it around here 😉

“Ever since November 2010, when we distilled the very first drops here at Box, it’s been our goal to develop storage opportunities for a future standard product, primarily stored in large, classic bourbon casks. We’ve carefully monitored the maturation of these casks and been impressed with how well they’ve developed. Our storage conditions, with huge temperature differences over the year, ice-cold winters and warm, sunny summers, account for a lot of the intensively positive results of the process. This is why we can already proudly introduce the whisky world to Dálvve – Box Distillery’s first edition of the future core range.”

Dálvve is the Sami word for ‘winter’. “The Nordic winters are an important part of our distillery’s unique character, so what could be more suitable than to borrow the name for our first ‘standard whisky’ from the indigenous Nordic culture that throughout the ages has lived here in perfect harmony with the passing seasons and nature?”

Box Distillery is one of the world’s northernmost distilleries, directly intersected by the 63^rd latitude, one day’s car ride from the Arctic Circle. As early as October, temperatures can fall way below zero and the winter months are often ice-cold with heavy coverings of snow. Dusk and darkness come early and the northern lights illumine the meter-thick ice on the river outside. This environment is unique to Box and it affects our whisky in a number of ways. The river’s ice cold cooling water produces a true world class distillate and the hot summers, cold winters and temperature variations enhance the whisky’s flavour by pressing it back and forth through the oak as it patiently waits in the warehouses. “This is what gives our whisky its character. And of course this holds true, in every way, for Dàlvve.”

Box Dálvve will be bottled in 70cl bottles and be available from November 2016 with different batch numbers. The demand from international markets is substantial and Dálvve will be available worldwide from its launch.

“Dálvve is matured completely in bourbon casks. Mostly 200 litre casks but also some 135 litre casks. Circa 24% of the whisky has been peated (11ppm on average). The youngest drops are 5,07 years old and an average age of 5,26 years old. 9000 bottles of batch 01 is set aside for the state monopoly. In total circa 14000 bottles have been produced. The style will be the same but of course with variations from batch to batch” Roger Melander, Distillery Manager (information gathered by SamuelWhisky)

this expression shows an alcohol level of 46% and a recommended consumer price of approximately €50 – €60.

 

Nose: Sweet, sligthly earthy & mineral with stewed fruits, brown sugar, bananas, herbal honey, kumquats and an underlying medicinal hint of turpentine. Also some delicious notes of caramel biscuits, charred oak, roasted almonds, toasted bread & over-baked cookies.

Palate: beautifully crafted, rather complex and well balanced for such a young boy. It’s probably the 3rd or 4th bottling from Box that I sample and the quality seems really consistent! Those Northern Vikings definitely know their stuff…

Sorry disgressing again… Anyway, the palate is elegant with gentle peaty notes, a pleasant vegetal appeal, burnt salted caramel and a whole full basket of fruits and spices. I also pick up some yummy toasted marshmallows, liquorice & cupcake icing…

Finish: medium to long with drier notes and apricot jam

Pssst! Find out more about whisky-subscription boxes from Craft Whisky Club Here!