Stauning RØG - Whisky Review
Stauning RØG Smoked Double Malt Danish Whisky Review
Time for another dram!
World whisky continues to push boundaries, and Denmark’s Stauning Distillery is easily one of the most exciting producers in Europe right now. Based on the rugged west coast of Jutland, Stauning built their distillery around traditional craft methods: 100% local grain, in-house floor maltings, and small, direct-fired copper pot stills.
This specific release is Stauning RØG (RøG being the Danish word for smoke), their Smoked Double Malt Whisky. It was showcased at the Whisky Show in London (2026), giving visitors a taste of how Scandinavian distillers put their own spin on smoky drams.
What makes this expression unique is that it is a genuine "double malt"—combining both single malt barley and malted rye, floor-malted at the distillery and dried using a blend of locally harvested Danish peat and fresh heather. Matured in American white oak and finished in first-fill Madeira casks, it sits at 43% ABV, completely non-chill filtered, and with natural colour.
Here are my tasting impressions and a breakdown of what to expect from the pour.
This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you.
The Production: Double Malt, Peat & Local Heather
A quick look at how Stauning crafts RØG:
The Double Malt Blend: Rather than relying purely on malted barley, Stauning blends single malt barley with floor-malted rye. Using malted rye completely transforms the character compared to standard unmalted American rye grain.
Danish Peat & Heather: The malt is dried over a kiln fuelled by local peat from the nearby peat bog alongside locally sourced wild heather, creating a delicate, aromatic, floral smoke.
Cask Profile: Aged in American white oak barrels and finished in first-fill Madeira wine casks, adding subtle fruit and rounded depth.
Core Specs: 43% ABV, natural colour, and non-chill filtered.
Bottle Specifications
Distillery: Stauning Distillery (Skjern, Jutland, Denmark)
Whisky Type: Smoked Double Malt Danish Whisky
Expression: Stauning RØG
Grain: Danish Malted Barley & Danish Malted Rye (100% floor-malted)
Smoke Fuel: Local Danish Peat & Heather
Cask Maturation: American White Oak & First-Fill Madeira Cask Finish
ABV: 43%
Chill Filtration: Non-chill filtered
Natural Colour: Yes
Tasting Notes
Time to try it!
The Nose
Pouring this out, it is immediately fun, incredibly fragrant, and distinct. You get a massive wave of flavourful rye grain straight away.
Because they use floor-malted rye rather than typical American rye grain, it delivers a completely different feeling—it is softer, fresher, and wonderfully aromatic. The nose is packed with expressive malt character and smells inviting without any harsh alcohol sting.
The Palate
Taking a sip neat, the smoke comes through gently across the tongue. It is not an aggressive, medicinal campfire blast; you can clearly sense that split of Danish peat and locally smoked heather. It leans very floral, earthy, and clean.
Beneath that floral smoke, it is only delicately sweet. As it develops, you pick up a subtle, lingering bitterness—reminiscent of roasted cacao nibs—that keeps the profile grounded. It is balanced, distinctive, and very enjoyable to sip.
The Finish
The finish is medium in length. The gentle floral heather smoke, dry cacao nibs, and soft oak carry cleanly off the palate, leaving an earthy, warming trace behind without turning astringent.
Neat vs With Water
At 43% ABV, it is already approachable straight from the bottle, but adding a tiny drop of water is worth trying:
With Water: Just a few drops make the spirit noticeably more velvety across the tongue, softening the texture even further.
The Verdict: Whether you enjoy it neat or with a splash of water, it remains a lovely dram either way. Neat gives you more of that fragrant malted rye definition, while water brings out an extra velvety mouthfeel.
Final Verdict
Stauning RØG is a brilliantly crafted Danish whisky that proves you don't need heavy Islay peat to create a memorable smoky pour.
The blend of malted barley and malted rye gives it a fantastic aromatic backbone, while the local heather and peat add a gentle, floral smoke with just a touch of sweetness and cacao nib bitterness.
If you appreciate a nuanced, lighter smoke that focuses on floral complexity rather than an overpowering medicinal wallop, this is definitely one to explore.
Where to Buy: If you want to grab a bottle for yourself, click or tap here to check current availability on Master of Malt, The Whisky Shop or Whisky.dk
If you found this helpful and would like to support the blog, you can buy me a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/lifeofandra. Every little bit helps keep my reviews, guides, and recipes completely independent!
Have you tried Danish whisky or any releases from Stauning yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I hope life is treating you well.
Take care
