Established by Pär Caldenby, a lawyer and whisky author, Smögen Whisky is one of Sweden’s most respected craft distilleries. It began producing spirit in 2010 and released its first bottling, Smögen Primör, in 2013, which won a silver medal at the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival.
🏭 Distillery Highlights
- Location: Near Hunnebostrand, north of Gothenburg, Sweden
- Founded: 2009
- Founder: Pär Caldenby, author of Enjoying Malt Whisky
- Production Capacity: ~35,000 litres annually
- Stills: 900-litre wash still and 600-litre spirit still
- Climate Influence: Harsh sea winds and coastal humidity shape maturation
🥃 Signature Style & Whiskies
Smögen is known for heavily peated whiskies, often using local barley and aging in small oak casks (often 30–50 litres) for intense flavor extraction. The distillery uses American and European oak, including ex-bourbon and sherry casks.
| Expression | Type | ABV | Cask Finish | Notes |
| Smögen Primör | Single Malt | ~63% | Cask Strength | Smoky, bold, with coastal salinity |
| Smögen Sherry Project | Single Malt | Varies | Sherry Cask | Rich, peaty, with dried fruit and spice |
| Smögen 100 Proof | Single Malt | 57.1% | Bourbon/Sherry | Intense, oily, with vanilla and smoke |
| Strane Gin | London Dry Gin | Varies | — | Herbal, juniper-forward, also made on-site |
🌟 What Makes Smögen Unique
- Peat-Driven Profile: Among the smokiest whiskies in mainland Europe
- Small Cask Aging: Enhances intensity and complexity
- Coastal Terroir: Sea air and humidity influence maturation
- Artisanal Production: Hands-on distillation and limited releases
- Gin Innovation: Strane Gin range adds botanical depth to the portfolio
Smögen Whisky is a must-try for fans of Islay-style peat who want something Scandinavian, intense, and handcrafted. Its limited releases are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.