New Arrival of the Week: Kyrö Single Cask Smoked Rye

Presenting a new whisky exclusive to Master of Malt:

Kyrö Single Cask Smoked Rye.

Launched this week as part of our Cask Influence campaign, which celebrates the variety of casks used to age whisky, this Finnish rye whisky was finnish-ed in Pedro Ximénez casks. And it’s all ours.  

Kyrö and cask influences

From the sweet and robust flavours imparted by American oak bourbon barrels to the aromatic, fruity notes drawn from sherry casks, each type of wood brings its unique influence to the ageing process. Over the years we’ve seen whiskies matured in Port, Cognac, calvados, red wine, white wine, Madeira, Sauternes, Tokaji, Champagne, rum, beer… (even Tequila. But that only works in rare cases). 

Each cask showcases an extraordinary range of tastes, from spicy and smoky to rich and decadent. This diversity of casks allows distillers to create endless expressions, ensuring that every bottle tells a distinct story of its time spent in oak. It’s one aspect that makes whisky a dynamic and endlessly fascinating spirit.

Kyrö itself has used an array of casks, from the new American white oak casks that mature its signature Malt Rye Whisky to its oloroso sherry-influenced release, as well as whisky made for That Boutique-y Whisky to bottle up that was initially aged in a new American oak cask before being reracked into a first-fill bourbon barrel plus a special limited edition rye expression matured in a 600-litre Vin Santo barrel in honour of Finnish Whisky Day. 

The Kyrö story

Before we get to the new release, it’s worth covering a little history for those who don’t know Kyrö Distillery. 

Like all great brands, Kyrö was founded in a sauna by a group of friends drinking rye whisky. Given that rye is something of a feature in that part of the world, it dawned on them that somebody should be making Finnish rye whisky. And shouldn’t that somebody be them?

The pals cooked up a batch of the good stuff using loaned equipment, smuggled it into the Whisky Show in London, and offered drams to people in the gents’ toilets. Now that is hustle. The new make gained praise so they set up shop. In a cheese factory. Built in 1908. That used to produce the Finnish Oltermanni cheese. No, really. It’s in Isokyrö, Finland near the River Kyrö, hence the name. The more you know.  

While they waited for the whisky to mature, they thought they might as well whip up a gin. Turned out the gin was quite good. In 2015, Kyrö received a phone call from the IWSC saying: “We know nothing about your distillery, but your gin has been selected as the best gin for gin & tonic. We suggest you prepare before the award goes public.” It sold out in two days.

Kyrö has never looked back, becoming a leader in the world of rye spirits, making its way to the list of the World’s Most Admired Whiskies, scoring critical acclaim, and gaining fans all over the world. The core range was finalized in 2023 and it continues to make spirits from 100% rye – be it whisky, gin or liqueur – just as the founders dreamed in that fateful sweaty sauna session.

A Master of Malt exclusive: Kyrö Single Cask Smoked Rye

Our brand new whisky (all ours, just a reminder), Kyrö Single Cask Smoked Rye, is of course made from 100% malted whole-grain rye from Finland. Following an old northern tradition, the malt is smoked under Alderwood in a 100-year-old barn near the distillery. Very cool.

The spirit was double distilled in 2018 in pot stills made in Speyside, Scotland. Finnish winters are very cold, but the Kyrö warehouse is heated to always have a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. Still, it is a unique maturation climate. The rye whisky was finished in a second-fill Pedro Ximénez hogshead cask, a powerful cask profile tamed slightly by its two previous uses, which allows some more of the spirit character to shine. The whisky was bottled at 47.3% ABV this year, just for us. 

How lucky we are too. This is a lovely drop. Nosing this, you get warm raisin cake right out of the oven. It’s sweet, but not overly so. It has a complex nose with some dark, sticky sherried notes but there’s also rich, warming rye spice. Not peppery or overly herbaceous rye. Like it’s been baked into a cake. That’s been drowned in rum. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Man, I’m hungry. Anyway, the point is, that this whisky is delicious. Here’s a tasting note. Now go out and buy it.  

Kyrö Single Cask Smoked Rye tasting note:

Nose: Warm, freshly baked raisin cake greets you immediately, with layers of dark, sticky sherry richness. There’s a deep, sweet complexity, but balanced—never cloying. Subtle waves of baked rye spice mingle with hints of rum-soaked fruits, offering a warming, nostalgic aroma. Faint traces of vanilla ice cream add a creamy backdrop to the spice.

Palate: A rich, velvety mouthfeel leads with the sweet, spiced character of dark fruits and rum-soaked raisins, carrying forward the promise of the nose. The rye spice is present but refined, integrating harmoniously with layers of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. As the whisky unfolds, candied citrus and a soft, buttery note.

Finish: The finish is long and lingering, leaving behind a gentle warmth with hints of dried fruit, baking spice, and just a touch of charred oak. Faint traces of rum and vanilla persist, drifting into a sweet, spiced fade.

You can buy Kyrö Single Cask Smoked Rye now. 

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