Thornæs Whisky When in Stout Organic Single Malt Danish Whisky 70 cl 49%

A stout spent nine months in three whisky casks. Then the casks went back to the distillery, and the whisky moved in behind it. What comes out at the other end tastes of chocolate, roasted coffee and a bite of mocha.

Expert description

Thornæs When in Stout is a Danish Single Malt Whisky from North Zealand, matured in Ex-Bourbon casks, finished in Stout Ale casks and bottled at 49%.

The idea came from a collaboration. Bryggeriet Kølster aged its own Stout Ale for nine months in three of the distillery's whisky casks, then handed them back. Thornæs wanted to use those casks to make a whisky that carries some of the stout's dark, full-bodied character.

The whisky is made from Danish organic barley malt, the malt type Evergreen Pale Ale. It begins in 125-litre Ex-Bourbon casks, which lend vanilla and sweetness. After that it moves into casks that previously held Stout Ale from Bryggeriet Kølster, and this is where the coffee and chocolate enter.

When in Stout belongs to the Crossroads series, where Thornæs combines lessons from earlier releases with new finds in the warehouse. A total of 482 bottles were made. The whisky may contain sediment from the stout maturation.

Thornæs is an organic distillery in Kagerup in North Zealand, founded in 2018. The groundwater comes from the area around Gribskov.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramel and candied sugar. Soft and sweet at first, until something darker starts to show.

Palate

Dried fruit and vanilla up front, then chocolate and roasted coffee, which is the clearest mark left by the stout casks.

Finish

Sweet spices, more chocolate and a bite of mocha.

Specifications

Name: Thornæs When in Stout
Distillery: Thornæs
Region/Country: North Zealand, Denmark
Type: Danish Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 49%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Bourbon casks of 125 litres, finished in Stout Ale casks
Number of bottles: 482
Edition: Crossroads

Flavour profile

Chocolate · Roasted coffee · Dried fruit · Vanilla · Sweet spices · Caramel

Did you know?

The distillery began with a goal rather than a business plan: founder Torben Thornæs wanted to taste his own 12-year-old whisky before turning 60. He made that decision late in 2017, and Thornæs was founded the year after.

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Frequently asked questions about Thornæs When in Stout

What does Thornæs When in Stout taste like?

Chocolate and roasted coffee lead, backed by dried fruit and vanilla. The nose opens with caramel and candied sugar, and the finish closes on sweet spices and a bite of mocha. The stout casks supply the coffee and chocolate, while the Ex-Bourbon casks bring vanilla and sweetness.

What does it mean that the whisky is finished in stout casks?

It means the whisky has spent time in casks that previously held stout. Here, Bryggeriet Kølster aged its Stout Ale for nine months in three of the distillery's whisky casks before Thornæs got them back. The whisky is first matured in 125-litre Ex-Bourbon casks and then in the Stout Ale casks.

Why might there be sediment in the bottle?

Because the stout maturation can leave small particles behind in the whisky. Thornæs states itself that the whisky may contain sediment from the stout maturation.

What is the Crossroads series from Thornæs?

Crossroads is a series where Thornæs combines what it has learned from earlier releases with new discoveries in its cask warehouse. When in Stout is one of the releases in the series.

How should you drink Thornæs When in Stout?

Neat and without ice in a whisky glass, so the chocolate and coffee have room to show. At 49%, a few drops of water can open it up. Dark chocolate or a cup of black coffee alongside suits the tasting notes.

Who is behind Thornæs?

Thornæs is an organic distillery in Kagerup in North Zealand, founded in 2018 by Torben Thornæs. Its main product is Danish organic Single Malt Whisky, alongside a smaller range of gin, snaps and apple brandy.