Rum Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits Small Batch 45%

What happens when you distil an imperial stout and mature the result in rum casks? Mikkeller and Braunstein found out — and landed on something soft, tropical and hard to categorise.

Expert description

Rum Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits Small Batch is a Malt Spirit at 43%, distilled at Braunstein Distillery from Mikkeller Black, an imperial stout from Denmark's celebrated craft brewery Mikkeller. The collaboration combines Braunstein's distillation expertise with Mikkeller's brewing knowledge to create a spirit that sits outside easy classification. The malt spirit has been matured in rum casks, which contribute sweetness, tropical fruit notes and a rounded softness. Not beer, not rum, not whisky — something on its own terms.

Tasting notes

Nose

Brown sugar and light caramel. Tropical fruit — banana, mango — mingles with warm sweetness and a touch of vanilla from the rum casks.

Palate

Soft and rounded with dark sugar, baked fruit and a hint of chocolate from the beer base. The rum cask influence is clear and pleasant.

Finish

Warm and lightly spiced with lingering sweetness and gentle rum notes. Shorter than an aged whisky, but satisfying.

Specifications

Name: Rum Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits Small Batch
Distillery: Braunstein Distillery
Bottler: Mikkeller Spirits
Region/Country: Denmark
Type: Malt Spirit, finished in rum casks
ABV: 43%
Cask type: Rum casks

Flavour profile

Smooth · Tropical · Sweet · Caramel · Rum cask

Did you know?

Mikkeller Black, the beer distilled to make this malt spirit, is an imperial stout at 17.5% ABV — one of the strongest and most complex beers from the Danish craft brewery. Distilling such a heavyweight beer produces a malt base with unusual depth and character.

See our full range of Mikkeller Spirits

Frequently asked questions about Rum Cask Black Mikkeller Spirits

What type of spirit is Mikkeller Spirits?

Mikkeller Spirits are malt spirits distilled from Mikkeller Black imperial stout at Braunstein Distillery in Denmark. They are not classified as whisky, rum or beer — but as standalone distillates from a beer base, matured in various cask types.

Does Rum Cask Black contain rum?

No. The name refers to rum cask maturation, not rum content. Previously used rum casks have been used to mature the malt spirit, contributing sweetness, tropical fruit and roundness to the distillate.

Who makes Mikkeller Spirits?

Mikkeller Spirits is a collaboration between Danish craft brewery Mikkeller and Braunstein Distillery in Køge. Braunstein handles distillation while Mikkeller contributes the brewing knowledge and Mikkeller Black recipe.

How does this compare to the Oloroso Cask version?

The Rum Cask expression is softer and more tropical, with banana, mango and brown sugar from the rum casks. The Oloroso Cask expression has a more nutty and sherry-driven profile. Both are distilled from the same Mikkeller Black base.

Can I use Rum Cask Black in cocktails?

Yes. It works well in tropical cocktails, Dark and Stormy variations or simple serves with ice and citrus. See our full Mikkeller Spirits range for more options.

How should I drink Rum Cask Black?

Neat at room temperature or over a large ice cube to let the tropical fruit and caramel notes open up. The softness makes it easy to drink without water.