Kyro Wood Smoke Finnish Malt Rye Whisky 70 cl 47.2%

In Isokyrö stands a hundred-year-old riihi, a Finnish barn where rye malt was once given a breath of alder smoke. Kyrö still does it that way. This isn't peat and seaweed. It's campfire, forest and the soft heat of a smoke sauna, settling into the rye.

Expert's Description

Kyrö Wood Smoke Malt Rye Whisky Finland is a Finnish Malt Rye Whisky matured in ex-bourbon casks, French oak casks and new American oak casks and bottled at 47.2%.

Kyrö Distillery Company was founded in 2012 by five friends, and by their own account the idea came to them in a sauna. The question was why nobody made whisky from Finnish rye. They have stuck to that single grain ever since, and Wood Smoke is made from 100% malted Finnish rye.

The smoke doesn't come from peat. The rye malt is smoked over alder wood in the riihi barn, following an old Nordic custom, and Kyrö itself compares the scent of alder to campfire smoke, smoked ham and forest. The whisky is then double distilled in pot stills and matured in three types of cask. The casks bring caramel and vanilla, and the rye brings the pepper.

Wood Smoke began as a limited pre-release but is now a permanent part of Kyrö's core range. The box says it's vegan, and it carries the Drinks International seal for The World's Most Admired Whiskies 2024.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Vanilla, caramel and pepper, with sweet smoke like a bonfire and a thin streak of tar behind it.

Palate

The smoke fills the mouth and is joined by sweet rye bread, honey and oak.

Finish

Dry and peppery, with the smoke lingering longest.

Specifications

Name: Kyrö Wood Smoke Malt Rye Whisky Finland
Distillery: Kyrö Distillery Company
Region/Country: Isokyrö, Finland
Type: Finnish Malt Rye Whisky
ABV: 47.2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks, French oak casks and new American oak casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
EAN No.: 6430055042306

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Spiced · Sweet · Rye bread · Vanilla

Did You Know?

The distillery is housed in an old dairy in Isokyrö. That's also why Kyrö makes a cream liqueur, Dairy Cream, as a nod to where the place started.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kyrö Wood Smoke Malt Rye Whisky Finland

How smoky is Kyrö Wood Smoke?

Clearly smoky, but not peated. The smoke comes from alder wood and tastes more of campfire and forest than of sea air and medicine. Kyrö's own scale on the box puts it towards the smoky end but with medium body, so it also works for people who don't usually reach for Islay.

What does Kyrö Wood Smoke taste like?

Sweet smoke, vanilla and caramel on the nose, then sweet rye bread, honey and oak under a heavy smoke on the palate. The finish is dry and peppery, and the smoke lingers.

What makes Kyrö Wood Smoke special?

The rye. It's 100% malted Finnish rye, smoked over alder wood in a hundred-year-old riihi, which is an unusual combination in the whisky world. On top of that come three different cask types that round the smoke off with caramel and vanilla.

Should Kyrö Wood Smoke be drunk neat, with ice or in cocktails?

All three work, according to Kyrö itself. Start neat or with a few drops of water, then try a single ice cube if you want to take the edge off the smoke. The rye spice and smoke also make it a good fit for an Old Fashioned.

Which glass suits Kyrö Wood Smoke best?

A tulip-shaped glass such as a Glencairn gathers the smoke, vanilla and pepper so you can pick them apart on the nose. See our range of whisky glasses.

What food goes with Kyrö Wood Smoke?

Smoked ham, aged cheese and hearty rye bread. The smoke and the sweet rye bread in the whisky meet the food on the same level instead of fighting it.

Where does Kyrö come from?

From Isokyrö in Finland. The distillery uses only Finnish wholegrain rye for its spirits, whisky, gin and liqueur alike.