Box The Explorer

The Box Destillerie in the high north of Sweden was founded in 2010. Like every new distillery, they release their product at an early age to be able to keep paying the bills. Most of their young whisky’s were experimental bottlings, while many casks were given time to mature for their standard range. This Explorer from the Early Days Collection (what’s in a name?) was composed with three years old malt that matured on bourbon casks of 40, 100 and 130 liters.

I am pleasantly surprised on the nose by fruity notes like pineapple, oranges (peel included) and loads of acacia honey on the one hand, but on the other also mildly peaty notes. Yes, there clearly went some peated malt into the mix. It even has a mildly salty lining, which I quite like. It reminds me a bit of young Ledaig.

It is quite oily. Very sweet, tob e honest. Again oranges and honey, but also quite a bit of green apples, ginger and liquorice. The peat is even more outspoken than on the nose. Pretty peppery, making it seem less young than its three years. Blind I would have given this one 7 years, but who am I?

The finish is medium long and somewhat drying on pear drops, but it remains surprisingly smoky.

The finish does give away the young age, but it certainly is not too young to enjoy. Pleasant surprise. I wonder what this will taste like when it reaches the age of 10 or more? Something to look forward to. But 80 EUR for a half liter bottle of 3 year old whisky is obviously very expensive.