Fary Lochan is something as unusual as a Danish whisky distillery, located in the small village of Farre just outside Give. Trine and I stopped by for a tour and tasting, and it was such an interesting experience.
Fary Lochan is a small, family-owned distillery with a big passion for the craft and a desire to do things their own way. One of the things they’re known for is smoking the malt with nettles, which the staff picks in the forest every summer. That idea came from the founder, Jens-Erik Jørgensen, who grew up watching Danish Rygeost (Danish smoked fresh cheese) being made the same way. The soft, lightly herbal smoke from the nettles is nothing like the heavier peat smoke you typically associate with whisky, and it gives Fary Lochan’s whisky a completely unique flavor.
During the tasting we got to try several different whiskies and learned how to taste them properly. Our guide walked us through what to look for and how to approach each glass, and at some point we tried adding a few drops of water to see how it changed the characteristics. It was fascinating to notice how much variation there can be depending on age and process, even when everything starts in the same distillery.
They also make other types of liquor, including a really wonderful blackcurrant liqueur that we tried at the beginning of the tour. We both regretted not buying a bottle to take home. It was a genuinely interesting experience and one I’d definitely recommend if you’re in the area.
Visit Fary Lochan’s website and book a tour
My blog about The Heart of Jutland – Billund – Fredericia – Kolding – Vejle
Curious about this part of Denmark? Visit The Heart of Jutland’s website
or check out their instagram @theheartofjutland