KYRÖ DISTILLERY HEATS UP WITH INNOVATIVE SAUNA-AGED WHISKY

Kyrö Distillery in Finland has produced what it claims to be the world’s first “sauna-finished whisky,” blending Finnish culture with whisky innovation. The newly released Sauna Stories No.1 is a malted rye whisky finished in a specially built sauna, where it was gently heated inside Rum Casks. This unique process allows the spirit to “sweat out any disharmony,” as the barrels reach internal temperatures of up to 50°C, powered by excess heat from the distillation process.

Kalle Valkonen, Kyrö’s head distiller, describes this creation as the “most relaxed whisky” yet, with a flavour profile combining vanilla, Jamaican fruits, and the brown sugar and spice typical of rye. Valkonen explains, “It’s only natural that we make whisky in a way that reflects our culture, and since Finnish whisky history is almost non-existent, we see ourselves as pioneers.”

Whisky legend Billy Abbott notes that the humidity in the sauna will also the whisky’s maturation. He points out that while the heat speeds up flavour development, the moisture alters the Angels’ Share, likely leading to a faster drop in the alcohol level. According to Abbott, the whisky would need several weeks in the sauna to experience significant changes.

Sustainability plays a key role in Kyrö’s process. By using excess heat from distillation to power the sauna, the distillery produces a greener product. However, Abbott is slightly more sceptical about the overall environmental benefits. He suggests the sauna might serve the distillery’s team just as much as the whisky itself. Nonetheless, Kyrö’s bold experiment is pushing the boundaries of whisky-making, and time will tell if sauna-finished spirits are here to stay.