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47.0% ABV | 70cl
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FRIENDS IN THE NORTH
We’d heard the stories. Scandinavian whisky makers, each crafting their own vision of excellence, creating flavours and lore. Our journey began with a question: Is there a ‘Nordic Style’? But what we found was something richer, something profoundly more human, and more delicious than we ever imagined.
Each distillery told its own tale of remoteness, isolation, and invention. After polite introductions, we geeked out on mind blowing stories delivered in a cool, matter of fact fashion - 'it's just how we do it'.
Four countries, countless flavours. Not one single thread, but a tapestry of warm welcomes, proud traditions, experimental whisky making, and unexpected delights.
We set out to craft a whisky. What we created were friends, and we can't wait for you to meet them.
This is Experience N.20 // Friends in the North.
We’d heard about Nordic whisky. Everyone’s talking about it in the whisky geek world. Well over 50 distilleries of note. Amazing local techniques, a unique climate.
We’d tried a whole bunch of samples and admired some of the more established brands… but we wanted to try and discover if there was such a thing as a Nordic style. What the main influences are, and what differences in spirit we could find.
So after a million zoom calls, we booked our trip and went.
A distillery founded and invested in entirely by Women. Why? Well why not. And this mindset pervades everything that they do. In Scotland, island distilleries are not uncommon - but we’ve over 200 years of distilling heritage and history that has made it possible. Here, their remote location is part blessing and part curse. The isolation means they have the time and space and privacy to quietly develop their own techniques and methods, a unique cultural terroir and atmosphere in which to craft their whisky. But on the other hand, maintenance, parts, and even access… can be at times, tricky.
This was the second time we’d been back to Feddie, and before anyone asks about my stunt double - you’ll see that we sent co founder Nick this time, partly because he wanted to catch up with an old friend, sales manager Martin Tønder Smith.
Located in the Finnish town of Isokyrö, Kyrö is all about bold experimentation with rye. We’ve chosen an Alderwood Smoked Rye which has a real depth that reflects Finland’s natural inclination towards saunas and rye bread. Their grain is smoked with local alderwood, lending it a unique, earthy palate. For Friends in the North, we sourced an NEOC (New Era Oak Casks), which elevates its complexity by adding layers of spice, oak, and tons of sweetness. The combination of the smoked rye and the richness imparted by the cask creates a well-rounded, robust component to the blend.
Based in Arboga, Sweden, Agitator is at the cutting edge of modern whisky production with a high-tech approach more akin to NASA than traditional distilling. Their use of vacuum distillation allows them to operate at lower temperatures, preserving delicate flavours and enhancing the whisky's smoothness. They also experiment with unique cask types to add depth and complexity to their spirits. For Friends in the North, we’re using a blend of two single malts from Agitator: one matured in a Wave-Stave cask, which is lightly peated to introduce a subtle smokiness, and the other (unpeated) in a Chateau Margaux cask, imparting rich, fruity notes to the whisky.
Located along Sweden’s Ångerman River, High Coast harnesses the region's extreme temperature variations to make their distinctive whisky. The significant difference between the high summer temperatures and the cold winter months accelerates the interaction between the whisky and the wood of the cask, intensifying the maturation process. For Friends in the North, we selected a first-fill American oak cask, where this climatic effect brings out a rich flavours of vanilla, caramel, and coconut. The dramatic temperature shifts allow the whisky to absorb deeper notes from the wood, resulting in a deeper, richer spirit that is a perfect finishing malt for Friends in the North.
We approached this project with a deep curiosity and admiration for the Nordic whisky scene. Even though Nick, our MD, had lived in the region, we were still viewing it as outsiders. Based in Scotland, we're surrounded by familiar whisky narratives, but this can sometimes blind us. The trip around the Nordic regions was refreshing and humbling. And, as with all things whisky, it was mostly just delicious and heaps of fun.
What struck us most in creating this blend was the diversity of distillers and styles. Rather than slight variations on a theme, we found distinct genres of whisky all from one ‘region’—a rarity when viewed from a Scotch perspective.
To be a Woven blend, our job is to combine and find harmony, creating something new that still showcases its individual components. Kyrö’s rye distillate, for example, was as bold as peated whisky. We could either play it down or lean in—and when paired with the fresh salinity of Feddie’s distillate, something magical happened. Together, they formed something robust and maritime, with an unexpected herbal note emerging in the combination. Blending is magic.
High Coast whisky brought soft fruit and cakey vanilla vibes, adding sweetness and depth to the salty, spicy mix we’d created. Then came Agitator, with two unique casks—a Chateau Margaux and a Wave Stave (cut to increase wood interaction). The red wine cask brought tannins and depth, while the Wave Stave added a rich, almost gloopy texture. This layering provided a backbone for the blend, adding poise and length. It’s funny to think of the completely different whisky-making philosophies behind each of these elements. Safe to say, nothing like this has ever been blended before.
We debated long and hard about including whisky from outside the Nordic region. Did it dilute the idea? Ultimately, our goal is to create the best liquid experience for the drinker. This blend was greatly enhanced by Single Grain whisky from North British Distillery in Edinburgh. Grain whisky sometimes gets a bad rap, but in the right proportions, it can bring clarity to a blend, much like a filter can enhance a photograph. And while a 100% Nordic blend might sound purer, nothing like this grain whisky is being made in the Nordics.
Tasting this whisky takes us back to the journey that inspired it: coastal brininess, rye bread, fresh midsummer aromas, subtle smokiness, and juicy complexity.
A long finish. A lingering warmth. Subtle spice.
