| Name | Ulrik Bertelsen |
| Works with | Whisky.dk, Sjølund near Kolding, Denmark |
| Loves | Peated whisky from Islay and sherry cask whisky |
| The most important bottle | Springbank 21 Year Old, a gift when my daughter Victoria was born |
| Listen | Whisky.dk Podcast |
| Browse the range | Islay whisky and Springbank |
Springbank 21 Year Old: the rest of the story
The whisky had 21 years in the cask behind it. Victoria had none. I like that kind of maths.
Springbank is in Campbeltown and is still owned by the Mitchell family, who have run the distillery for generations. It suits me fine that a bottle for my child comes from a place where the family holds on. You can see the whole Springbank range with us, and if you want to get to know the region, have a look at the Campbeltown whisky category.
Peated whisky from Islay: why I keep coming back
Sometimes I want something that looks like a bonfire in the glass. Then I reach for peated whisky from Islay. It divides opinion. Some love it, others put the glass down after the first sip and go looking for something mild. I'm in the first group.
Islay is the island where peat smoke is almost part of the landscape, and the best bottles have a maritime edge alongside the smoke. If you want to explore for yourself, you'll find them in Islay whisky and in our collection of peaty whisky.
Sherry cask whisky: the sweetness I can't leave alone
The other leg I stand on is sherry cask whisky. Casks that have held sherry typically give deep notes of dried fruit, spice and dark sweetness. It's the kind of whisky that gets to fill a glass quietly, without shouting.
Smoke and sherry can sound like opposites. For me they're two ways into the same thing: whisky with character, where you can tell someone has thought about the cask.
The man behind Whisky.dk
I run Whisky.dk from Sjølund near Kolding, where the shop covers about 500 square metres with shelves full of whisky, rum, gin and much more. Alongside it are Whiskymessen, three webshops in Danish, English and Swedish, and the Whisky.dk Podcast, where we dig into the stories behind the bottles.
I'm writing here now too. That means that from now on you can read what I actually think about what's in my glass, and not just what it says on the back of the label.
My verdict: where should you start?
If you're new, start where your taste pulls you. If you like bonfire and sea, try peated whisky from Islay. If you like dessert and spice, begin with sherry cask whisky. And if you've never tried a Springbank, it's a good place to look. I have one myself that I wouldn't want to be without.
It's not a ledger where the most expensive bottle always wins. It's the bottle you find yourself thinking about the day after that's the right one.
FAQ about Ulrik Bertelsen whisky
Who is Ulrik Bertelsen?
Ulrik Bertelsen runs Whisky.dk and hosts the Whisky.dk Podcast. He now also writes blog posts on the site.
Which whisky did Ulrik Bertelsen get when his daughter was born?
A Springbank 21 Year Old. It came as a gift when his daughter Victoria was born.
What is Whisky.dk?
A Danish webshop and store with whisky, rum, gin and much more. There are versions in Danish, English and Swedish.
Where is the shop?
At Vejstruprødvej 15 in Sjølund near Kolding, about 500 square metres according to VisitDenmark.
What characterises peated whisky from Islay?
Peat smoke is the most typical trait, often together with maritime notes. The flavour divides opinion, so try a small bottle first.
What is sherry cask whisky?
Whisky that has matured in casks that previously held sherry. It often gives dried fruit, spice and dark sweetness.
What is Springbank?
A distillery in Campbeltown, owned by the Mitchell family.
Where can I buy peated whisky from Islay?
At Whisky.dk in the categories Islay whisky and peaty whisky.
Want to taste along?
Drop by the Islay shelf if you want smoke, or find a Springbank for your own little milestone. And please write and tell me what you think. I read it.
More from: Ulrik Bertelsen
