KINGSBARNS « Coaltown » 2024 VS MACKMYRA « Svensk Rök » 2014 | 2 Peated Single Malts

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Erratum : While presenting the KINGSBARNS « Coaltown », I got confused between the notions of « peated cask » & « peated malt » : In the case of this whisky, they used peated casks, so didn’t peat the malt that still comes from them, so no need to speculate about other malting companies, but rather about the distilleries where the peated casks could come from. Sorry about this mistake.

[@GuillaumeLedoux-s4q]

Bonjour Greg, merci pour ta franchise. Je n'ai jamais dégusté de Mackmyra mais je connais un peu la gamme de Kingsbarns. J'ai visité la distillerie l'année dernière et j'ai apprécié le Doocot, le Balcomie un peu moins. J'ai aussi eu l'occasion de déguster un single cask finit en ex fût de Laphroaig. Il était plutôt bien équilibré, très gras mais pas très complexe. Comme tu l'a souligné, c'est effectivement étrange de sortir ce produit dans la gamme permanante alors que le reste est plutôt très bien fait.

[@andrewbutler7681]

Thanks for the honest review of Coaltown. I must admit: when they announced the release, I was a bit wary, because of similar things from other producers, so I was going to wait until I had a chance to taste before buying a bottle and you have reinforced that (although I will give it a fair chance if I can). People seem to think they have to offer examples of every style of whisky, even if that is not what they are good at (Filey Bay being a prime example, where they felt forced into doing a peated finish...) - I wish we could let them concentrate on their preferred style. The whisky world is weird at the moment!

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Thanks Andrew...They might not be happy with it, but it is my opinion, despite the gift/collab/press sample whatever you can call it. I would second you partly about other young distilleries feeling they have to release a peated expression to complete the range, but I do find the Filey Bay peated finished more satisfying (though not being too complex-btw, I'm late on my review of my 4 Filey Bay, but hope to do it soon), and for instance here in France, I found the Artesia "tourbé"' (tourbé meaning peated) very good...Also I liked the Cotswolds peated I tried once...but indeed I'll tend to favor a peated malt expression rather than the use of a peated cask only...as it comes across as less "superficial" ("surfaced peatsmoke" with no depth'). Cheers !

[@JeffWhisky]

Brilliant rundown Greg on the Coaltown and also how it stands against Svensk Rök and an all time favourite of my D2D. From a marketing and social media skim, it almost feels that the bankruptcy announcement is slightly helpful in reengaging with enthusiasts. Aware lots of folk have since been showering praise as well as putting money where their mouth is and grabbing bottles. Cheers.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Thanks a lot, Jeff. I didn't had time to develop all my thoughts about Mackmyra there, but maybe you're right (though I won't do that on my side, too many other distilleries bottlings on my wishlist already). Like I said, I struggled to find value & tasting opportunities about Mackmyra these last years & there are even new players like Agitator who seem to experiment too & bring some fresh air to the Swedish market...I would be curious, btw, to hear your thoughts about one of the weirdest seemingly simple design their bottles & labels have...Cheers !

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Greg. Kingsbarns released a bottle for the German market called the Loch Levin ( 1680 bottles). Matured in FF ex bourbon barrels at a nice 57.5 % vol and with a 7 year old age statement. The only Mackmyra I’ve had was one called the Kungstorv ( kings peat).As I understood or remember the peat, oak, barley and juniper branches were all Swedish. Wasn’t a bad dram for a 43% er. An interesting video Greg, Slàinte, good to see you back 👍🥃

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Hi David, thanks for the great infos about several releases I didn't know, they sound great....Thanks for your support too ! Sköl (as the winner of my battle seems Swedish !) 🙏🥃

[@jd-bourbonapproach3036]

I heard Mackmyra filed for bankruptcy and will or has shut down all operations. Time to stack my personal bar. Cheers

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Indeed, well, if you liked their production, yes, some of their past whiskies might be hard to get though...Also I encourage you to try the other distilleries whiskies i mentioned, you might be pleasantly surprised...Thanks for watching, Cheers !