Mackmyra Svensk Ek Swedish Single Malt Whisky
Mackmyra Svensk Ek Swedish Single Malt Whisky is a 92.2 proof (46.1% ABV), 700mL single malt — the flagship expression formerly known as "The First Edition," matured with heavily toasted, hand-coopered Swedish oak casks. "Svensk Ek" means Swedish oak, and it is the point of the bottle: roughly ten percent of the whisky rests in Swedish oak — coopered from ancient oaks of Visingsö island, planted centuries ago for the Royal Swedish Navy's shipbuilding — giving a spicy character of sandalwood, dried ginger, and black pepper. An IWSC Silver medalist in 2015 and 2017 (and a Gold in 2011 under its original name), with no age statement. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46.1% (92.2 proof)
- Size: 700mL
- Casks: ex-bourbon + heavily toasted hand-coopered Swedish oak (~10% Swedish-oak content)
- Age: no age statement
- Distillery: Mackmyra Svensk Whisky, Sweden — founded 1999
- Awards: IWSC Silver 2015 & 2017; IWSC Gold 2011 (as The First Edition); WhiskyCast 90 (Oct 2015); Whisky Advocate 83 (Fall 2015)
Sweden's Flagship, in Swedish Oak
Before this bottle was Svensk Ek it was "The First Edition" — Mackmyra's first single malt, released in 2006 and gone in twenty minutes. The rename put the wood front and center, and the wood deserves it: Sweden's harsh winters and dramatic seasonal shifts make its oak unusually durable, and the barrels are coopered by hand and heavily toasted inside. The official nose is fruity with citrus, pear, apple, and honey, a light oakiness with sweet toasted-bread notes and fresh butter toffee; the palate turns spicy — sandalwood, dried ginger, black pepper, roasted oak barrel, herbs — over a fruity, smooth base of citrus, caramel, and honey, finishing tuned and balanced with hints of dark chocolate. Founded in 1999 by eight friends from Stockholm's Royal Institute of Technology, Mackmyra distills with Swedish barley, spring water, and Swedish oak, no additives, in its gravity-fed Gravity Distillery near Gävle. Browse more whiskey and explore the Mackmyra collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Fruity — citrus, pear, apple, honey — with light oakiness, toasted bread, fresh butter toffee (Mackmyra official).
Palate: Spicy sandalwood, dried ginger, black pepper, roasted oak, herbs; fruity and smooth underneath with citrus, caramel, honey.
Finish: Tuned and balanced, hints of dark chocolate.
How to Enjoy
Neat or with a drop of water — the Swedish oak spice opens beautifully. It drinks like a spicy Speyside with a Nordic backbone, and it stands up to a cigar or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Svensk Ek" mean?
Swedish oak. About ten percent of the whisky matures in heavily toasted, hand-coopered Swedish oak casks.
What proof is Mackmyra Svensk Ek?
92.2 proof (46.1% ABV) in the 700mL bottle.
Has it won awards?
Yes — IWSC Silver in 2015 and 2017, plus IWSC Gold in 2011 under its original name "The First Edition." WhiskyCast scored it 90 points.
Is it the same as The First Edition?
Yes — Svensk Ek is the renamed flagship; "The First Edition" was Mackmyra's first single malt, released in 2006.
Mackmyra's oak-driven flagship — order Mackmyra Svensk Ek Swedish Single Malt Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.