Stauning Rye Grand Danois Winterdrop Limited Release Danish Rye Whisky 70 cl 40,6%

There's a certain kind of whisky you want when it's dark by four o'clock and there's a bowl of clementines on the table. Stauning took their spicy rye from the west coast of Denmark and gave it a rest in casks that once held French orange liqueur. It ends up smelling a bit like December.

Expert's Description

Stauning R.Y.E. Grand Danois Winterdrop is a Danish Rye Whisky finished in casks from a French orange liqueur producer and bottled at 40.6%.

Winterdrop is Stauning's new winter release. The idea is to put out a new bottling every year for the cold months, and Grand Danois is the very first one. It's a Limited Release, so it won't be a permanent fixture on the shelf.

It starts from the distillery's signature R.Y.E., made from local Danish rye and barley that's floor-malted on site and run through small pot stills heated by direct fire. The standard R.Y.E. matures in new, heavily charred American oak and has that classic rye mix of pepper and rye bread. For Grand Danois, the whisky was finished in casks from a French orange liqueur producer, and you can tell. Orange peel and citrus sit on top of the rye spice, and at 40.6% it's a good deal softer than the regular 48% R.Y.E. It has enough character for someone who's tried a lot of whisky, and it's still easy going for someone who's only starting to work out what they like.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Orange peel and vanilla up front. Bright citrus follows, with some toasted oak further back.

Palate

Soft on the tongue. Ripe cherry and vanilla sit in the middle, while the rye pushes warm spice out around the edges.

Finish

Toasted oak and bittersweet orange peel linger, with a little warmth from the spice right at the end.

Specifications

Name: Stauning R.Y.E. Grand Danois Winterdrop
Distillery: Stauning
Region/Country: Denmark, Western Jutland
Type: Danish Rye Whisky
ABV: 40.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Finished in Orange Liqueur Casks from France
Non-chill Filtered: Yes
Distillation Method: Pot Stills heated by direct fire
Edition: Winterdrop, Limited Release
EAN: 5744002861904

Flavour Profile

Citrus · Spiced · Sweet · Soft

Investment Potential

Medium. This is the very first Winterdrop and a Limited Edition. The first release in a new annual series is often the one collectors of Danish whisky want on the shelf once more editions come along.

Did You Know?

Grand Danois simply means "the great Dane" in French. It's also the French name for the dog breed known in English as the Great Dane. That fits a Danish rye whisky that's spent time in French casks.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Stauning R.Y.E. Grand Danois Winterdrop

What makes Stauning R.Y.E. Grand Danois Winterdrop special?

It was finished in casks from a French orange liqueur producer, which gives the rye clear notes of orange peel and citrus. It's also the first release in Stauning's new Winterdrop series.

How is it different from the regular Stauning R.Y.E.?

The regular R.Y.E. is bottled at 48% and leans more towards pepper and rye bread. Grand Danois is bottled at 40.6% and is softer, and the orange liqueur casks pull it in a fruitier, sweeter direction.

What does Winterdrop mean?

It's Stauning's name for an annual winter release. Every year brings a new bottling for the cold months, so the next Winterdrop won't be the same whisky.

Should it be served neat or on the rocks?

Start with it neat, at room temperature, so the orange peel and vanilla come through. A few drops of water can open it up a little more. It also works well in an Old Fashioned with a strip of orange peel.

Does it make a good Christmas gift?

Yes. It comes in a gift box with orange branches on it, and the flavour suits the festive season. Because it's soft and easy going, it's also a good pick for someone who hasn't tried much rye whisky.

Which glass should I use?

A tulip-shaped whisky glass such as a Glencairn gathers the citrus and spice aromas best. See our range of whisky glasses.

Where is Stauning Whisky located?

Stauning sits by Ringkøbing Fjord in Western Jutland, in the small village the distillery is named after. It was founded in 2005 by nine friends who wanted to make whisky from Danish grain, all the way from field to bottle.