I'll admit it freely — when I first encountered Kyrö's Sauna Stories series, I wasn't sure what to make of it. A Finnish distillery, working with malted rye and barley in a country better known for its vodka tradition, releasing whisky finished in apricot brandy casks? It sounds like the sort of thing dreamt up by a marketing department after one too many sauna sessions. But I've learned over the years to check my assumptions at the door, and Kyrö has given me good reason to do so.
Sauna Stories 2 is the second chapter in what Kyrö describes as an ongoing exploration of unconventional cask finishes. This expression takes their single malt — distilled from Finnish malted barley — and finishes it in casks that previously held apricot brandy. Bottled at a muscular 51% ABV with no age statement, it sits firmly in the new wave of European whisky that refuses to play by the old Scottish rulebook. And at £110, it's asking you to take it seriously.
Finland's climate is worth considering here. The dramatic temperature swings between brutal winters and surprisingly warm summers accelerate maturation in ways that Speyside or Islay simply don't experience. Wood interaction is aggressive, extraction is fast, and the resulting spirit often punches well above what you might expect from a young or NAS whisky. Kyrö, based in Isokyrö in the Ostrobothnia region, has leaned into this, and the Sauna Stories series is essentially their showcase for what Finnish terroir and creative cask management can produce.
The apricot brandy cask finish is an unusual choice, but it's not gimmickry for its own sake. Stone fruit finishes can lend a whisky genuine depth — a sweetness that's more orchard than confectionery, with a tartness that keeps things honest. At 51%, there's enough backbone here to stand up to that fruit influence without being overwhelmed by it. This is a single malt that wears its cask finish as a complement, not a costume.
Tasting Notes
I'd encourage you to approach this one with an open mind and no preconceptions. The apricot brandy cask influence should make itself known, and at cask strength you can expect a whisky with real presence and texture. I'll be revisiting this bottle over the coming weeks and updating with full tasting notes in due course — this is a spirit that deserves time and attention rather than a rushed assessment.
The Verdict
At £110, Kyrö Sauna Stories 2 sits at a price point where it needs to justify itself against some serious competition. I think it does. This is confident, well-constructed whisky from a distillery that clearly understands what it's doing with wood. The apricot brandy finish is distinctive without being distracting, and the 51% ABV gives it the weight and complexity to reward patient drinking. It's not trying to be Scotch, and it's better for it. For anyone interested in where European whisky is headed — and I firmly believe we should all be paying attention — this is a compelling bottle. My rating of 8.3 out of 10 reflects a whisky that delivers genuine character and craftsmanship, with just enough restraint to leave me wanting another pour.
Best Served
Pour it neat and give it a full five minutes in the glass before your first sip — at 51%, it needs the air. A few drops of water will open it up further and let the apricot influence breathe. If you're feeling adventurous, this would make a remarkable Highball with a quality tonic water and a twist of dried apricot, though I suspect purists will want to keep things simple. I'd lean neat, personally — this is a whisky that has something to say, and you should let it speak.
