Spirit of Hven MerCurious Swedish Corn Whisky 50 cl 45,6% MerCurious Swedish Corn Whisky 50 cl

On Hven, a speck of land in the Öresund strait where nothing is ever quite ordinary, a corn whisky broke a few local rules the moment it appeared. MerCurious borrows its name from the quicksilver planet, and it distils almost pure Swedish corn into something closer to bourbon than to any Nordic single malt you have tried.

The Expert's Description

Spirit of Hven MerCurious is a Swedish Corn Whisky matured in new, air-dried American oak casks and bottled at 45.6%.

Behind the bottle stands Henric Molin, the distillery's restless distiller, who built MerCurious as a nod to the American bourbon tradition, using purely Swedish grain as its base. The recipe runs 88 percent corn, topped up with wheat, barley and rye, and every batch is drawn from fourteen casks of air-dried American virgin oak. Depending on each cask's character, the whisky matures for three to eight years before it is blended and bottled.

The idea for Spirit of Hven took shape when Anja and Henric Molin realised this small island in the Öresund had almost everything a distillery could ask for: nutrient-rich soil, a mild microclimate and a position squarely between two countries. The distillery opened in 2008, and MerCurious has become one of its most personal expressions, a corn spirit that insists on doing things its own way.

Tasting notes

Nose

Light, sweet aromas of caramel and ripe apple lead, spiced with a touch of lingonberry. Underneath sits a sweet note reminiscent of freshly baked cornbread.

Palate

The whisky opens almost sparkling and fresh before rounding out into a fuller, sweeter register of vanilla and cocoa. The corn stays clearly present, close to leaning over a pot of just-boiled sweetcorn, balanced by a light tartness that recalls a warm fruit pie.

Finish

Soft and warm, closing on a last trace of sugar-cane syrup and toasted oak.

Specifications

Name: Spirit of Hven MerCurious Swedish Corn Whisky
Distillery: Spirit of Hven
Region/Country: Hven, Sweden
Type: Swedish Corn Whisky
ABV: 45.6%
Size: 50 CL
Cask type: New, air-dried American oak casks
EAN no.: 7350044859441

Flavour profile

Sweet · Creamy · Fruity · Grainy · Lightly spiced

Did you know?

Hven measures barely 7.5 square kilometres, belongs to Sweden, yet sits closer to the Danish coast than the Swedish one. That geographic quirk makes Spirit of Hven one of the most border-crossing distilleries you will ever pour a dram from.

See our full range of Spirit of Hven

Frequently asked questions about Spirit of Hven MerCurious Swedish Corn Whisky

How does Spirit of Hven MerCurious taste?

It tastes sweet and creamy with a clear corn character, vanilla and a touch of toasted oak. The nose leads with caramel and ripe apple, while the palate opens into a full, warm register close to a fruit pie fresh from the oven.

What makes MerCurious different from regular whisky?

It is distilled from almost pure corn rather than barley, which is unusual for a Scandinavian whisky. The recipe runs 88 percent corn, topped up with wheat, barley and rye, and the result sits closer to American bourbon than to a classic Scotch single malt.

How long is MerCurious matured?

Between three and eight years, depending on the character of each individual cask. Every batch is drawn from fourteen casks of air-dried American virgin oak before the whisky is blended and bottled.

How should I serve MerCurious?

Best in a nosing glass at room temperature, with a few drops of water to open up the corn sweetness. It also works well in a simple highball with a splash of soda if you want something more relaxed.

Where is the Spirit of Hven distillery located?

On the small island of Hven in the Öresund strait, between the Danish and Swedish coasts. The island's nutrient-rich soil and mild microclimate were the entire reason Anja and Henric Molin chose this exact spot for their distillery.

Is MerCurious a good gift?

Yes, especially for someone who already knows their whisky and wants to try something outside the usual Scotch path. The Nordic origin and the unusual corn base make it a conversation piece in its own right.

Can MerCurious be used in cocktails?

It works well in drinks normally built around bourbon, thanks to its sweet, full-bodied corn character. Try it in a classic Old Fashioned, where the sweetness and vanilla notes get to take centre stage.