Kyrö Malt Rye Ruby Port Finish

This exotic Kyrö Malt Rye was produced in honor of the Finnish Whisky Day (May 23), which also happens to be the birthday of VYS (Viskin Ystävien Seura = Fellowship of Whisky). Released on May 2021 as a limited batch of 666 bottles, it instantly got my attention because of its Ruby Port finish.

Kyrö distillery has matured some of their malt rye whisky in a 250 liter Ruby Port barrel and some in a 250 liter Ex-Bourbon barrel. The end result is 100% malted rye whisky with a red winey character and a hue of pink. The very first “Kyrö’s Choice”.

Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky - The Ruby Port Finish

Amazing marriage of port and rye

I must say, I fell in love with this expression! Amazing experiment and overall a superb end product. Ruby Port’s sweetness and fruitiness really compliment Kyrö’s peppery and fresh malt rye whisky.

For a hardened old dog trying to learn new experiences in the world of rye whisky, this is like the ultimate expression for that – getting new experiences. Amazing rye whisky!

Tasting Notes

Matured in:

Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Ruby Port Barrels

ABV: 47.2%

Colour: Red amber

Nose: Sweet and dry, hints of sweet berries and mild rye notes. Some oak notes. And mellow spicy notes come from deep down, nutmeg and warming spices.

Taste: Lots of sweet toffee, nutmeg with salty and warming spicy red licorice. Cedar wood. Red fruits come along later.

Finish: Strong oak. Mix of berries, such as blueberries, cranberries and raspberries rise up late in the aftertaste.

Balance: If this is what you always get when combining rye whisky with Port finish, then why isn’t it a household maneuver with every rye whisky distillery?! Joking aside, I’m sure, or at least I hope, that this expression makes rye-port combination more mainstream.