Mackmyra Reserve Bertelsen Cask No.1 Svensk Single Malt Whisky 50 cl 48,3%

In 2004, Mackmyra sold a small cask of raw, unpeated spirit to one of the men behind Whisky.dk. The cask took his name, and almost five years later it became 54 bottles of Swedish whisky that have never been recreated since.

The Expert's Description

Mackmyra Reserve Bertelsen Cask No.1 is a Swedish Single Malt Whisky matured in a 30-litre Swedish oak cask and bottled at 48.3%.

The story begins in 2004, when Mackmyra sold a small 30-litre cask of Swedish oak filled with unpeated new-make spirit to one of Whisky.dk's owners. The cask took the name Bertelsen Cask No.1 after the buyer, while another Whisky.dk co-owner received his own cask at the same time, since known as Olsen's Barrel.

After nearly five years of maturation in the small cask, the whisky arrived in Denmark as 54 bottles with a deep colour and a surprisingly full flavour for such a young cask. It was distilled on 8 November 2004 and bottled on 6 April 2009.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Clear oak character with vanilla and a touch of honey, supported by a light nutty sweetness.

Palate

Full-bodied and warm with notes of caramel and toasted oak, where the small cask's intense maturation is clearly felt.

Finish

Medium length with a dry, woody close and a last trace of sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Mackmyra Reserve Bertelsen Cask No.1 Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Distillery: Mackmyra
Region/Country: Gästrikland, Sweden
Type: Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Age: 4 year(s)
ABV: 48.3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 30-litre Swedish oak cask, cask #04-638
Distilled: 2004
Bottled: 2009
Number of bottles: 54

Flavour Profile

Oaky · Full-bodied · Sweet · Nutty · Warm

Investment Potential

High. With only 54 bottles from a single small cask, and a story tied directly to Whisky.dk's own past, this is one of the rarest Swedish whiskies ever to have reached shelves in Denmark.

Did You Know?

Bertelsen Cask No.1 is named after one of Whisky.dk's owners, who personally bought the cask directly from Mackmyra in 2004. It is one of very few bottles in the world to carry the name of a Danish whisky retailer.

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Frequently asked questions about Mackmyra Reserve Bertelsen Cask No.1

How does Mackmyra Reserve Bertelsen Cask No.1 taste?

It tastes full-bodied and warm, with clear oak character, caramel and a light nutty sweetness. The small cask has given it a surprisingly deep colour and intensity despite the relatively short maturation.

Why is the whisky called Bertelsen Cask No.1?

The name comes from one of Whisky.dk's owners, who personally bought the small 30-litre cask directly from Mackmyra in 2004. That makes the bottle part of the shop's own history.

Why does the whisky taste so intense after only four years?

Small casks like this one have a far greater contact surface between wood and spirit than standard casks, which speeds up maturation considerably. That gives a depth and character normally associated with older whisky.

Is this whisky worth the money?

Yes, with only 54 bottles and a personal story behind the cask, it is a rare piece of Swedish whisky history unlikely to reappear.

How should I serve it?

Neat in a nosing glass at room temperature, ideally with a few drops of water to open up the oak notes.

Where is Mackmyra distillery located?

In Gästrikland, Sweden, where the distillery has been brewing whisky from local ingredients and Swedish oak since 1999.