Sall Whisky Distillery, a Danish microdistillery, was established in late 2018 by a group of friends with a shared vision of making a fully local whisky using their own home-grown, organic cereals. Their journey began with the launch of their new make in 2019, followed by their inaugural single malt whisky in early 2023, aged just three years. In 2024, they introduced three small-batch releases – Muld, Tørv, and Glød. However, today’s review focuses on a unique offering: the Sall Whisky 2020 Whisky Watcher. This release, from Whisky Watcher – a Danish shop and independent bottler specialising in whisky, rum, and other spirits – is the distillery’s only independent bottling to date.
Sall Whisky 2020 Whisky Watcher Review
The Sall Whisky 2020 Whisky Watcher was distilled in August 2020 and bottled in November 2023 after three years of maturation in an ex-bourbon cask (#29) sourced from Garrison Brothers. This cask strength release, bottled at 61.1% ABV, yielded just 159 bottles (500 ml each). Exclusively available at Whisky Watcher’s shop, it remains in stock for approximately €100 on their website.
Colour:
Pale straw.
Nose:
Neat: The nose is intense and spirited, featuring notes of yeast, honey, and cereals, complemented by subtle hints of lemon, fresh buttery pastry, toffee, and barley husk. It feels a bit closed and might benefit from a touch of water to fully open up.
With water: Adding water unveils nuances of dusty old books, plum eau-de-vie, and a more pronounced layer of toffee.
Palate:
Neat: The palate offers a thick, chewy mouthfeel with a malty arrival, quickly followed by a burst of spices. Light wood bitterness emerges, leading into notes of dark chocolate, butterscotch, brown sugar, herbal honey, and a bold shot of espresso. Despite its youth, it already shows remarkable depth, moving well beyond typical new make flavours.
With water: Water brings a spicy evolution, with chili pepper and a hint of Tabasco sauce, alongside the comforting sweetness of cookies with large chocolate chunks and an extra dose of toffee.
Finish:
The finish is long and warming, with lingering espresso bitterness, 80% dark chocolate, and a spicy kick of pepper and ginger.
Comments:
I hadn’t heard of this young Danish microdistillery until a friend shared a sample with me, but the Sall Whisky 2020 Whisky Watcher proved to be an intriguing dram with great potential. If someone had told me it was aged in an ex-bourbon cask with a stout cask finish, I wouldn’t have been surprised – it carries that kind of character. While it lacks a bit of fruitiness for my preference, it’s a well-crafted young whisky that shows plenty of promise. Definitely another emerging distillery to keep an eye on!
Rating: 6/10
Thank you Xavier!
