Stauning, A New Nordic Style Whisky From Denmark Launches In UK

While visiting Denmark is problematic at the moment, due to the global pandemic, it’s possible to enjoy a taste of the popular Nordic country thanks to the recent launch of Stauning, the oldest Danish whisky brand. Whisky lovers will be pleased to hear that this award-winning whisky is available for the first time outside of Denmark, from drinks merchants in the UK, France and Germany. The US launch has been delayed but the aim is for 2021. Available since 2011 in Denmark, whisky from Stauning is served in the country’s best bars and restaurants, including the two Michelin-starred Noma whose chef René Redzepi delisted every other whisky after tasting the offerings from Stauning.

The nine founders of Stauning (a doctor, a butcher, a teacher, a helicopter pilot and four engineers) knew little about whisky making but shared a great passion and curiosity for the spirit when they started out in 2005. They set up shop in the village of Stauning on the beautiful west coast of Denmark, in a former abatoir and used and adapted equipment that was lying around. And they worked with local resources: the wind, the sea, the fields, the heather, the peat and the water. They hired local people to make equipment, bought the barley from a local farmer and malting was done on the tiled floor of the butcher's cold room. Milling was done in an old meat mincer and in a nearby museum, they found the peat to dry and smoke the malted barley.

In creating a “new Nordic style” single malt whisky, the focus of Stauning is flavor rather than age. Unlike other whisky producers outside of Scotland, Stauning has no intention of copying Scotch whisky; their aim is to make distinctive Danish whisky. And Stauning’s founders are keen to make whisky using the traditional methods, even if it’s more time-consuming. They use methods dating back 200 years, including using small pod stills with open fires underneath to better control the flavors. While most distillers buy ready malted grain, every production process, including malting, takes place in house at Stauning. At three or four years old, Stauning’s whiskys are young in keeping with the strategy of “experimenting and creating flavors instead of focusing on age” says Alex Much, one of the founders.

Stauning Whisky is aimed at foodies and people who enjoy trying new things. The distillery is hoping to attract more female customers to a spirit that is still consumed by 70% men versus 30% women. The range of whiskies from Stauning includes “Curious”, “Rye”, “Kaos” and “Peat”, with “Bastard” next to launch. Stauning has been winning awards since its products first hit the Danish shelves in 2011. Most recently, “Curious” won best new whisky in 2019, described by the World Whiskies Awards as having a “biscuity nose, with a sweet touch of oak and smoke,” while “Kaos,” with its floral, oaky taste, won the best grain award in 2020. “Rye,” aged in a Belize rum cask, features honey, tobacco leaf, oak and hazelnut flavors. “Peat” as its name suggests is made from Danish peat and has a delicious smoky flavor, with a hint of heather and chocolate. The whisky was aged in casks that previously held Maker's Mark bourbon. Although purists would agree that single malt whisky should be consumed neat, Stauning offers a range of whisky cocktail recipes, including classics like Old Fashioned and Manhattan plus their own new inventions like the Stauning Smoke Signal (their version of the Rusty Nail).

Once we are able to travel freely again, an essential stop on any trip to the stunning west coast of Denmark should be Stauning, for one of their daily guided tours and a visit to their shop. The distillery itself will also appeal to architecture buffs. Prize-winning architects, Loop have created stunning buildings with clean lines, made of timber, glass and black metal, inspired by the black wood-framed fishermen’s huts nearby.