Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn Hvenus Rye Whiskey
Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn Hvenus Rye Whiskey is a 45.6% ABV (91.2-proof) Swedish rye whiskey — a master blend of 42 Quercus Alba American oak casks, aged 3 to 6 years — distilled at the Spirit of Hven Distillery in Backafallsbyn, on the island of Hven, Sweden. Made from a four-grain mash of 78.6% rye, 11.9% wheat, 4.8% corn and 4.8% barley, and produced organically with no chill-filtration and nothing added, this 750mL bottle was named European Whisky of the Year at the 2019 Wizard of Whisky Awards. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45.6% (91.2 proof)
- Size: 750mL (US format)
- Aging: Master blend of 42 American oak casks, 3 to 6 years (per the importer)
- Origin: Spirit of Hven Distillery, Backafallsbyn, Hven island, Sweden
- Production: 78.6% rye / 11.9% wheat / 4.8% corn / 4.8% barley; organic, no chill-filtration, no colour added; European Whisky of the Year 2019
Swedish Rye, Island-Distilled: Hvenus
Spirit of Hven was founded in 2008 by Anja and Henric Molin on a small island between Sweden and Denmark, and everything about the operation is deliberate — organic and biodynamic farming, small copper stills, no chill-filtration, no colour, no sugar. Hvenus is their rye statement: a high-rye four-grain mash matured in 42 American oak casks and blended by master distiller Henric Molin. The hardware shows in the glass — the 2019 Wizard of Whisky Awards named it European Whisky of the Year and Grain Whisky of the Year, and the Beverage Testing Institute gave it 93 points and Gold in 2023. Among rye whiskeys, this is the Scandinavian outlier: rye spice with Nordic restraint. Explore the full Spirit of Hven range for more island-distilled whisky.
Tasting Notes
Rye spice and vanilla on the nose with dried fruit and a floral lift. The palate is elegant — caraway and cinnamon over honeyed oak, the wheat and corn softening the rye's edge. Finish is long and warming with lingering spice.
How to Enjoy
Neat to appreciate the organic, unfiltered texture, or in a Manhattan where the rye spice stands up to vermouth. A revelation for rye drinkers who think they've tried the whole category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Spirit of Hven made?
On the island of Hven, Sweden, at the distillery in Backafallsbyn founded by Anja and Henric Molin in 2008.
What is the mash bill of Hvenus Rye?
78.6% rye, 11.9% wheat, 4.8% corn and 4.8% barley.
Where can I buy Spirit of Hven Hvenus Rye online?
This 750mL bottle is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor — it ships from San Diego, CA.
European Whisky of the Year, straight from a Swedish island — buy Hvenus Rye online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.