Thornæs Distillery: Traditional whisky craftsmanship with a Danish touch

Craftsmanship and tradition come together to create fine Danish whisky with creative twists. Using locally sourced organic ingredients, Thornæs Distillery produces whisky with a distinct Danish character. The distillery also offers tours where you can learn about the whisky-making process and taste some of the spirits.

At Thornæs Distillery, the art of making whisky is more than just a process – it’s a story. Sourcing local organic grain from the farm where the distillery is located, Thornæs is dedicated to crafting fine Danish whisky. Inspired by years of travelling as a journalist and making visits to distilleries and vineyards around the world, Torben Thornæs Andersen decided to start his own whisky distillery in Denmark.

“Whisky-making to me is about storytelling as much as the actual product,” explains Torben Thornæs Andersen, founder of Thornæs Distillery. “I wanted to tell the story of Danish whisky. I learned from Scottish distilleries and now combine the traditional craftsmanship with a distinct Danish touch.”

Whisky is made from just three basic ingredients – grain, yeast, and water – that undergo a rather complex and time-consuming process. Every step of this delicate process, from the choice of barley to the ageing in wooden barrels, plays an important role in shaping the final product. The ageing process takes a minimum of three years, with a significant part of the whisky’s flavour coming from the barrel. “The process is incredibly complex, requiring time and patience, but the result is a unique and flavourful spirit,” says Thornæs Andersen.

But why Danish whisky? Scotland is considered the birthplace of whisky-making, and Scottish whisky is one of the most famous and traditional forms of whisky, governed by strict regulations that define its production process. “We have a bit more freedom to innovate in Scandinavia,” says Thornæs Andersen. “We experiment with different wood types for maturation, and explore different kinds of grain and methods to smoke our barley. The result is a whisky that pushes the boundaries while still respecting the tradition.”

Curious to experience the whisky-making process for yourself? Thornæs Distillery offers tours where guests can explore the distillery, learn the story behind the bottles, and even get a taste of some of the spirits. The tours can be booked online and for both smaller and larger groups. Thornæs Distillery also arranges private tastings, and of course guests can bring home a bottle from the distillery shop.

Web: www.thornaes.com
Facebook: Thornæs Destilleri
Instagram: @thornaesdestilleri