Distillery: Mackmyra
Country: Sweden
Age: No age statement
abv: 46.1%

The latest addition to Mackmyra’s Seasons range, Skördetid is Swedish for harvest time. There’s no denying that Mackmyra is a stylish company, and Skördetid could well be the most classy whisky the Swedish distillers have ever produced. This is in no small part due to a collaboration with Italian wine maker Masi, who provided the Amarone casks in which much of Skördetid spent its final 6 months. While this finish manifests itself clearly through sweet, nutty flavours, we should be careful not to give the Amarone casks all the credit. Because lest we forget, there’s also some first fill Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez at work in this carefully crafted vatting. Clearly then, Skördetid is Mackmyra at its fruitiest. The packaging too has been imbued with a splash of Amarone, with the sleek Mackmyra design overlaid with burgundy colours. Skördetid is a delightful dram that’s well worth a try!

Colour: Soft gold with a reddish hue

Nose: Wow, there’s certainly a lot going on here. Skördetid is extremely floral, reminiscent of a sweet summer’s day about to draw to a close. There’s plenty of red fruit, as notes of raspberry and cream mingle with stewed pear. Underneath we find the rush of barley and fresh oak that’s so typical Mackmyra. This gives way to a sort of fruity cigar smoke, interwoven with the faintest hint of pecans. Extremely appealing!

Palate: On the palate, Skördetid is a spicier proposition, while the fruit has changed from fresh to dried. Flavours of nutmeg intertwine with a more herbal profile, as notes of aniseed and fennel come to the fore. This gives way to oaky flavours of toasted vanilla and raisins. Plenty of tannins on this one.

Finish: Sharp and fiery, with a bittersweet aftertaste of dried plums.

Verdict: Although Mackmyra Skördetid never quite delivers on the promise of that delicious nose, it’s nonetheless a quality whisky. Hardly surprising given the casks it’s matured in, Skördetid is a rich, fruity dram, showing a lush side of Mackmyra we usually don’t get to see. As in harvest time, you reap what you sow, and master blender Angela D’Orazio has sown the seeds of a beautiful whisky. The Seasons at Mackmyra can be short, so be sure to try Skördetid before it disappears from the range!

Score: 
Value for money: 🤩🤩🤩