I'll admit it freely: when Danish whisky first started appearing on my radar a few years back, I approached it with the same cautious scepticism I'd bring to any new world producer muscling into a centuries-old craft. But the Nordic distilling scene has been quietly earning its place, and Copenhagen Distillery's Raw Edition Batch 2 is precisely the sort of bottling that demands you pay attention.
This is a non-age-statement single malt, bottled at a robust 51.6% ABV — a strength that signals confidence from the distillery. The 'Raw Edition' designation and batch numbering suggest small-run releases with minimal intervention, the kind of approach that lets the spirit's true character come through rather than hiding behind heavy cask influence or excessive filtration. At this proof, you're getting something muscular and uncompromising, a whisky that wants to be taken seriously on its own terms.
What draws me to bottlings like this is the honesty of them. There's no age statement to lean on, no heritage narrative stretching back two hundred years. Copenhagen Distillery is building its reputation bottle by bottle, batch by batch, and that takes a particular kind of nerve. The fact that they're releasing at cask strength — or very near it — tells you they believe the liquid can stand up to scrutiny. In my experience, that confidence is usually well-placed.
Tasting Notes
I'd encourage you to approach this one with an open mind and a bit of patience. At 51.6%, the Raw Edition Batch 2 will reward those willing to sit with it. A few drops of water will open things up considerably — don't rush it. Danish single malts of this style tend to carry a youthful vitality, and the higher strength means you'll get the full spectrum of what the distillers intended. This is very much a whisky to explore rather than knock back.
The Verdict
At £170, this sits in competitive territory. You're paying a premium for small-batch craft production, and I think that's justified here. Copenhagen Distillery isn't trying to imitate Scotch or Japanese whisky — they're carving out something distinctly their own, and the Raw Edition line feels like the purest expression of that ambition. An 8.3 out of 10 from me, which reflects both the quality of what's in the glass and the sheer promise of where this distillery is headed. For collectors of new world whisky or anyone curious about what Scandinavia is producing, this is a bottle worth owning.
It's not flawless — the price point will give pause to some, and without an age statement, you're placing your trust in the distiller's judgement rather than the reassurance of years in oak. But I've tasted enough whisky to know when a producer has genuine craft behind them, and Copenhagen Distillery earns that trust with this release.
Best Served
Pour it neat first — always — and give it five minutes in the glass. Then add a small splash of cool, still water to bring the ABV down to around 46%. This opens the spirit without drowning it. At this strength and style, a classic Highball would also work beautifully on a warm evening: good ice, quality soda water, and a twist of lemon peel. But for your first pour, keep it simple. Let the whisky do the talking.
