Stauning R.Y.E. Grand Danois Winterdrop 2026 - Orange Liqueur Casks Finish - Danish Whisky

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40.6% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

French orange liqueur casks give this winter edition of Stauning R.Y.E. its distinctive direction. The whisky first matures in new, heavily charred American white oak barrels before being finished in the liqueur casks. Whiskies from 14 of these casks were married for Winterdrop 2026.

The finish adds citrus freshness and sweetness to the rye spice. Vanilla, orange peel and toasted oak precede ripe cherries and warming spices. The name Grand Danois brings together the whisky's Danish origins and the French influence of its finishing casks. The whisky is bottled at Stauning at 40.6%, without chill filtration or added colouring.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Orange peel and vanilla open the nose. Bright citrus notes then emerge, with a little toasted oak remaining in the background.
• Palate: The whisky feels soft on the palate. Ripe cherries and vanilla shape the mid-palate, while the rye contributes warm spice notes.
• Finish: Toasted oak and bittersweet orange peel linger. A little spicy warmth remains at the end.

Distillery/Bottler:

Stauning began on Denmark's west coast in 2005 as a joint project between nine friends. Their first experiments took place in a former butcher's shop: the grain germinated on the tiled floor of the cold room, and a converted meat grinder served as a mill. These improvised beginnings developed into an approach that still combines local grain, floor malting and small, direct-fired stills.

Stauning retained these methods after opening its purpose-built distillery in 2018. The rye and barley for Grand Danois are grown locally in Denmark. Both grains are entirely floor-malted and kiln-dried at the distillery. Double distillation takes place in 24 small copper stills heated by direct flame.

Facts: