Langatun Distillery
Chocolate, cheese with holes, fondues, cow bells, Alps, cable cars and banking - can you guess the country yet? Well, it's Switzerland of course, Europe's most mountainous country.
Before you think I'm just falling into a bed of clichés, let me explain. I spent around half a year in Lausanne as a student many years ago, attempting to learn French (with a unique Suisse romande accent)! In terms of drinking, I admit a few bottles of Hürlimann (as it was then) and Appenzeller Bier probably did pass my lips, along with the odd glass of schnapps and Fendant du Valais white wine.
For a long time, I never knew Swiss whisky existed. The country does have a long tradition of distilling though, making schnapps and fruit brandies such as Williams and Kirschwasser.
The Swiss were always quite big whisky consumers, particularly of single malt. However, whisky production only became legal on 1st July 1999. Before then, Swiss law prohibited the use of grains and potatoes to be used for distillation. While the relaxation of regulations has not resulted in a huge explosion of new distilleries, there are a few making whisky now. Because the Swiss admire the Scottish tradition, they have chosen the Scottish and not the Irish/American spelling of whisky.
According to The Whisky Exchange, there are now at least 20 distilleries in the country producing the spirit. One of these is Langatun, based in a 400-year-old former Kornhaus, or grain store, in the village of Aarwangen. While some whiskies are made as a side-line by schnapps producers or brewers, Langatun pride themselves on being full time whisky distillers.
Swiss single malt whisky brand Langatun was created in 2007, but the family behind it has a history in brewing and distilling that stretches back for over a century. In 1857, Jakob Baumberger returned home as a newly graduated master brewer and founded a distillery at his father's farm in the Swiss town of Langenthal. Three years later, he also took over the local brewery. The distillery continued as a family business, but had to close during World War II. It was then reopened in 1999 by Hans Baumberger, Jakob's great-grandson.
Hans Baumberger
Hans distilled his first spirit in 2005, releasing Old Deer whisky to market in 2008. Langatun quickly gained a good reputation for their sherry and wine cask-matured single malt whiskies. As the company grew, it relocated to larger premises (the old grain store) in 2014 and today has new owners. The whisky continues to mature in casks in Langenthal.
Here are my tasting notes on four of their whiskies I tried earlier this year - their signature expression, Old Deer; Old Bear, which is 'hibernating' at the moment, but is expected to be made again soon (although stock still exists at selected retailers); a single cask release, Jacob's Dram 2015 Pinot Noir Single Cask; and Old Deer Cask Proof.
Langatun's signature expression is this triple-distilled, single malt whisky, made from unsmoked barley using an English stout yeast and matured in ex-Sherry and Chardonnay casks.
On the nose, it smells creamy, similar to oat milk or porridge, with hints of apple, blackcurrants and some dried fruit notes like sultanas. There's a sweet edge to this whisky with hints of peach and dried mango. It's creamy too with a touch of brown butter and caramel. ABV is 46%.
This triple-distilled single malt whisky uses beechwood-smoked barley and an English stout yeast, before being matured in ex-Châteauneuf-du-Pape casks.
The nose shows wood smoke with notes of damsons, hazelnuts, cooked red berries and a hint of honey. The palate shows a mellow syrupy sweetness with a touch of plum compote, baked apple, cinnamon and smoky overtones plus a hint of salted caramel on a peppery finish. ABV is 46%.
This whisky was distilled in 2015 and bottled in 2021. ABV is 49.12%, a number based on the distillery's postcode! Langatun dedicate this whisky to the founder of the distillery, Jacob Baumberger, hence the name 'Jacob's Dram'.
The nose shows a touch of marble cake with added notes of cedar wood, gingerbread and raisins. On the smooth, round, sophisticated palate, there's vanilla, gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and a hint of cherries too.
This version of Old Deer is bottled at cask strength, between 58% and 63% ABV, after aging in Sherry and Chardonnay casks. Perfect for winter in the Alps!
On the nose, it's unsurprisingly more intense than the 46% ABV version, with notes of vanilla, apple, brown sugar, malt and a hint of orange. These notes carry over on to the power-packed palate with sweet malty notes dominating, hints of tobacco, liquorice and marmalade coming through and quite a mellow finish.
Whisky, gin & rum merchants Highfern import Langatun Whisky into the UK. Although mainly selling to the trade, they now have an on-line shop too. You can also find Langatun at Master of Malt, Gauntleys of Nottingham, Drinkfinder, Nickolls & Perks, The Whisky Exchange and Shop4Whisky.
