Waldviertler J. Haider Special Rye Malt Peated

J. Haider GmbH is an Austrian distiller that specializes in fruit and other liqueurs, but also brings Waldvierler whisky to the market, named after the region. They sell their whiskies in bottles of 350, 500 and 700ml and have single malt besides this Special Rye Malt Peated. It matured for six years on Manhartsberger Summer Oak, a wine cask.

Ok, let us not beat around the bush. This whisky stinks! Triplex board, mouldy speculoos, raisin bread and crust of dark sour bread. Soles of shoes. Oatmeal, cake and dry figs are the only aromas that bring some repairs. Sugared chocolate. All kinds of stuff that have been lying around for to long and is ready for the bin. Alas.

It is a bit oily and soft on the spices. This tastes more like a liqueur than a whisky. It is a bit sweet, but again that dark sour bread dominates. Rye is to be taken pretty literally here. Gingerbread and some almond paste. And then there is the peat, of course, that gives is a smoky edge. It is Waldviertler tree peat, whatever that is. The combination seems somewhat unhappy.

The finish is mercilessly long and smoky. It tastes a bit like long overdue pastry, with the baking paper still around it. Yikes!

This adheres to all the Legal rules to be called whisky, but it is anything but good. Thank you (sarcasm, anyone), Niek. A 350ml bottle will set you back around 30 EUR. No, thanks.