Stauning HØST Review: Will this Danish whisky surprise you?

Since 2005, nine friends in Denmark have been making whisky. One of the spirits they laid down to mature is the Stauning HØST whisky. It was released to showcase Denmark’s unique terroir and to honor the harvest season. How that plays out on the palate is what we explore in this Stauning HØST Review.

The terroir of Denmark is wonderfully diverse. The country grows all kinds of crops, including rye, barley, oats, and wheat. To pay homage to the harvest season, the distillery crafted a whisky from two of these grains, barley and rye, both sourced from right around the distillery.

These were traditionally floor-malted and then turned into a wash that was double-distilled. The spirit matured in heavily charred American oak casks and first-fill Port barriques, developing into a whisky with a rich copper hue.

To complete the picture, the whisky was given a name that perfectly fits the tribute. HØST means “harvest.”

Stauning uses the same bottle design for several of its whiskies. The KAOS, SMOKE, and HØST all come in a bottle with a black top and a clear lower half.

Aside from a label, color-coded and uniquely patterned to mark the expression, the bottle is otherwise the same. The rest of the glass tells the story of the nine friends behind this whisky adventure.

There’s a detailed illustration showing the friends perched on a cask floating among the stills, surrounded by playful vignettes. You’ll spot scenes of distilling, working the land, and tasting the spirit. Tucked in between are nods to the Stauning Curious new make spirit and to Kaos.

It’s a bottle you can keep studying, discovering something new about the whisky and its makers every minute. But what about the liquid itself?

This Danish whisky gleams with a seductive dark copper color, like the final slivers of sunlight over the water, something we hope to see a lot more of in the coming weeks. When you swirl it, it paints a lovely oily rim that, after a few seconds, releases droplets sliding back into the liquid.

Meanwhile, intriguing aromas rise from the glass. Spicy rye notes take the lead, joined by floral scents that evoke a freshly sprinkled garden in bloom. Even on a warm day, the bouquet invites you in for a sip.

That first sip brings an unexpected twist. Stauning HØST introduces itself with a tingling mouthfeel. Fortunately, that quickly gives way to the flavors this nectar of the gods has in store.

Think dried red fruit layered with malty tones, warm honey, and toffee. The longer you hold it, the spicier it becomes. The rye from the nose returns gently, along with a touch of pepper that lingers on your lips.

As the finish approaches, a wisp of vanilla appears before everything bids your palate a spicy farewell.

The Danish crew behind Stauning has created something compelling with HØST. It seduces with sweetness yet surprises on the tongue. If you love smoke, this may not be your dram, but otherwise, it’s a whisky with broad appeal. It even shines on warm summer days, when you might be more inclined to mix a whisky cocktail.

+ Almost a crowd-pleaser

+ Opens with an intriguingly sharp edge

+ Goes down dangerously smooth

- Not for peat lovers