Is a single estate distillery the paragon of a distillery? I tend to think so. It doesn’t mean such a producer is guaranteed to make the best whisky, but they have control over every single facet, giving them an advantage only few have. Single estate distilleries are rare – less than a handful have featured on these pages. Today we’ll add Hinrichsen’s Farm Distillery to that tally.
For a while now I’ve been admiring Hinrichsen’s from a distance. Mind you, not a huge distance. From my home in the Netherlands I could probably get to Hinrichsen’s in about an hour or six. That includes the ferry, because the Hinrichsen farm is situated on Föhr, one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. Indeed, Hinrichsen’s is an island distillery, located but a few hundred metres from the coast.
Like many single estate distilleries, Hinrichsen’s is a family affair. Father Jan Hinrichsen produces whisky with his son Jonas year round (while running the farm). Mother Marret manages the farm’s café, while eldest daughter Lina helps out with paperwork, tours and tastings when she’s not working on her master’s degree. Youngest daughter Anna-Mia, dubbed the creative sunshine of the family, is looking forward to joining the farm and family business in the future, taking over marketing once she completes her degree.
Finally, today I get the chance to taste one of their whiskies. I recently met Jan, Jonas and Anna-Mia at the Thy Whisky Festival in Denmark. They were so kind to send me off with one of their latest single farm products – the Hinrichsen’s Somerinj 2025 (available here). This single malt is produced from Avalon barley grown in the fields surrounding the farm. It matured in an interesting mixture of American oak, ex-Oloroso casks, ex-Pedro Ximénez casks AND ex-vermouth casks.
Especially the latter is unusual. As Jan explained it, there’s a long history of immigration to the United States on the island of Föhr. The Manhattan cocktail made its way back and is now a popular drink for milestone occasions, whether they be birthdays or funerals. “Because of that we thought to put our new make in vermouth casks and see what happens. For us its a very good fit. Richness, a little bit of bitterness and warmth, but it doesn’t overwhelm the new make.”
I would write at length about Hinrichsen’s Farm Distillery, but I’ll wait until I’ve actually visited, hopefully sometime in the future. Meanwhile I’ll gladly refer you to this comprehensive article about Hinrichsen’s from EuroWhisky’s Harry Brennan. It gives wonderful insight into the lengths Hinrichsen’s goes to. But for now…
Hinrichsen’s Somerinj 2025 ‘Frisian Single Farm Whisky’ (48%, OB, 900 bts.)
Nose: Very much citrus forward and relatively punchy for its strength. There’s some sweet triple sec here, as well as brighter orange notes with just a tinge cracked black pepper, and maybe a whiff of nutmeg too. Then light floral touches and strawberries. Water brings out sweet, dark caramel and some intense honeyed notes.
Taste: A creamy, rich mouthfeel with a fair bit of new oak influence. Hints of sandalwood, some coconut and vanilla custard. There’s a light fennel touch too, as well as lemon pith, a whisper of porridge and cloves.
Finish: Medium length with a slight bitter edge, although its a dark, fruity sweetness that lingers for a while. Then finally a touch of chocolate.
Sample provided by Hinrichsen’s Distillery
