This Tasty New Whisky Will Change Everything You Knew About Rye

We talk about top shelf rye a lot these days, and almost always, that conversation concerns American whiskey. But the category’s namesake grain grows abundantly in many different corners of the globe. So, it stands to reason that it could be used to make fantastic spirit in those corresponding countries. Like Denmark, as the talented taste makers from Stauning deftly demonstrate. 

For the better part of a decade, the craft distillery has been showcasing regional rye on remote farmland about 200 miles west of Copenhagen. Now, its readying its first-ever exclusive release for American markets.

As you might surmise from the name, Stauning Sherry Cask Finish Rye is a rye finished in sherry casks. More specifically, the non age-stated whisky spends most of its time aging in heavily charred American oak cooperage before being re-racked in a battery of barrels seasoned with Pedro Ximénez and Palo Cortado sherry from the heart of Jerez, Spain.

This secondary maturation imprints the resulting spirit with an orange marmalade body, bearing a rich fig and date-like fruitiness. As you pour it into the snifter, swirls of pipe tobacco and Earl Grey tea come rushing toward the nose. The savory spice of the underlying grain is evident in the lingering threads of cardamom and clove that tickle the back of the tongue.

Want the latest whiskey news, deals, and reviews? Sign up for the Whiskey Wednesday newsletter.

It doesn’t drink like any American rye you’re used to. That’s because Stauning doesn’t rely on rye distillate that you’re used to. Instead, the whiskey makers use small direct-fired copper pot stills and local cereal that they floor malt themselves, on-site. It all adds up to pretty compelling testimony in the glass, particularly in this easy-drinking 101-proof presentation.

“Our rye is not your typical rye whisky,” says Stauning CEO Lasse Vesterby. “Our traditional approach, combined with a Danish touch, brings an experience to the U.S. market that we think rye and whisky drinkers will greatly appreciate.”

The brand has been at it since 2015. So, why did it take them so long to make inroads along American shelves? An infusion of capital from Diageo—the world’s largest liquor conglomerate—certainly didn’t hurt. But Vesterby believes that the very conception of rye is evolving. And the evolution is being driven now, more than ever before, by connoisseurs across the 50 states.

“The U.S. is at the heart of rye whisky today, with drinkers who are increasingly seeking out new flavors and unique stories,” Vesterby says. “We feel Stauning has something special to offer in this space.”

There’s only so much to go around, however. As a true craft operation, Stauning’s output is limited. No more than 800 bottles of the new Sherry Cask Finish have washed up on American shores. You can find it now for $75 per bottle. Hopefully it’s the first of many whisky-themed imports from this part of the world. 

Related: Make This Cheap and Delicious Four-Ingredient Liqueur to Impress Any Guest