Kyro Malt Rye Whisky Finland 70 cl 47.2%

Finns once voted rye bread their national dish. Yet it took five friends, a sauna and a bottle of American rye before anyone asked why nobody made whisky from it. Kyrö Malt is the answer: 100% malted Finnish rye, run twice through copper pot stills and left to rest in new American oak.

Expert's Description

Kyrö Malt is a Finnish Malt Rye Whisky matured in new American oak casks and bottled at 47.2%.

It comes from Kyrö Distillery Company in Isokyrö and is made from 100% malted Finnish rye. Rye is rarely malted for whisky, so right from the grain Kyrö takes a different road from most. The malted rye ferments for a long time, is distilled twice in Scottish copper stills, and matures in new casks of American white oak for at least three years, according to Kyrö. The new wood adds sweetness and vanilla and rounds off some of the rye's edge. The whisky is non-chill filtered, naturally coloured, vegan and gluten-free.

Kyrö calls it the first Finnish single batch rye whisky. It won a gold medal at IWSC 2020 and is still the bottle most people start with when they want to taste Finnish rye.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Aromatic and spicy. Vanilla and caramel lead, followed by dried fruit and something earthy from the rye. The oak is present all the way through.

Palate

Sweet rye bread and honey, wild berries and a spicy edge with a touch of fresh ginger.

Finish

Soft and peppery, with caramel and mocha. The warmth hangs on for a long time.

Specifications

Name: Kyrö Malt Finnish Rye Whisky
Distillery: Kyrö Distillery Company
Region/Country: Finland, Isokyrö
Type: Finnish Malt Rye Whisky
ABV: 47.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: New American Oak Casks
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Distillation Method: Double distilled in Pot Stills
EAN: 6430055042290

Flavour Profile

Rye Bread · Spicy · Vanilla · Caramel · Honey · Wild Berries

Did You Know?

Before there was any finished whisky, the founders brought samples of fresh rye spirit to the Whisky Show in London without permission. The drams were poured in the restroom, and then they went from stand to stand and let the professionals taste. The feedback was good enough to keep them going.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kyrö Malt

What does Kyrö Malt taste like?

Sweet rye bread and honey with vanilla, caramel and wild berries. The nose is spicy and aromatic, and the finish is peppery with caramel and mocha. A touch of fresh ginger sits in the middle.

Is Kyrö Malt a Single Malt Whisky?

Not quite. It is a Malt Rye Whisky, made from 100% malted Finnish rye instead of barley. The production resembles Single Malt Whisky, with pot stills and malted grain, but rye brings more spice and a bready sweetness.

What do new American oak casks do to the whisky?

They add more vanilla, caramel and sweetness than used casks and take some of the sharpness off the rye. Kyrö Malt matures only in new casks of American white oak. Read more in our guide to barrel ageing.

What is the difference between Kyrö Malt and Kyrö Malt Oloroso?

Oloroso is finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, which Kyrö Malt is not. Kyrö Malt is more peppery, with vanilla and caramel, while Oloroso leans towards dried fruit and nuts.

How do you drink Kyrö Malt?

Neat, on ice or in a cocktail. Kyrö's own suggestion is a Ryeball: one part whisky, three parts soda water, a lemon wedge and plenty of ice. For sipping neat, a tulip-shaped whisky glass gathers the aroma best.

Is Kyrö Malt vegan?

Yes. The bottle is marked vegan, and Kyrö states that it is also gluten-free.

Who is behind Kyrö Distillery Company?

Five friends with no whisky experience who got the idea in a sauna. Since 2012 they have made whisky, gin and liqueur from Finnish rye in Isokyrö in western Finland. The first stills were fired up in 2014 in an old dairy.