Spirit of the Trail #3: Mountain Lakes 100 & Mackmyra Brukswhisky

I really enjoyed sharing my first two Spirit of the Trail whisky and trail pairings, and am excited to present the third in the series! As a reminder, this series is about pairing a trail experience (hike/run/race) with a whisky. It might be based on the trail itself or a specific situation that occurred on that adventure. The goal of this series is to distill (ha!) both a trail and whisky down to their essence and share it with you. I hope you learn a little about the trail and/or the whisky and are inspired to try something new. I want to encourage exploration out on the trails and in your glass!

The Trail:

In 2017, I attempted my first 100 mile race, the Mountain Lakes 100 (near Olallie Lake, Oregon.) It’s a well-supported race that utilizes some of the Pacific Crest Trail, and is known for beautiful lakes and runnable trails. Due an unexpected weather event (snow in September, really?) I ran 55 of the 100 miles before missing a cutoff. While not finishing the race is a disappointing outcome for any runner, the course was beautiful, and the experience was a valuable learning opportunity that prepared me for future success at that distance.

The first 20 miles of the course are typically very runnable. However, the surprise snow made me want to build snowmen instead of run for hours on end. During this 20 mile section there were a few pleasant, snowy mountain vistas that looked just like a holiday card. One strewn with hidden hazards underfoot – like a holiday card full of surprise glitter. However, the remaining 35 miles I ran were in the forest, which featured evergreens and icy lakes. It is a classically beautiful Pacific Northwest course.

Fun Trail Fact:

In the weeks leading up to the race in 2017, there was a possibility they would have to cancel the race due to wildfires in the area. They rerouted the course, but then significant snow appeared on race morning. Surprising, to say the least!

The Whisky:

The Swedish single malt, Mackmyra Brukswhisky (Gävle, Sweden) was a bit of a surprise in my whisky exploration due to the complex flavor and its origin. I first was introduced to this whisky through a Whisky Advent Calendar in 2015. From the first sip, its unique and balanced flavor won me over. It has a bright and almost lemony flavor, like sunshine on new snow. Subtle smokiness lingers, like a reminder of recent wildfires. A sweet, vanilla smoothness continues throughout, like those runnable trails. Lastly, there is a piney flavor that is refreshing and reminiscent of the forests of Oregon. It’s an exceptional whisky that opened my mind to new possibilities.

Fun Whisky Fact:

To achieve a smoky flavor, Mackmyra malts their barley using local peat (like in Scotland.) However, they put their own cultural spin on this process by putting two twigs of juniper on top of the peat they burn in the kiln. It seems like an inconsequential thing, but it lends a subtle and refreshing piney flavor to the finished whisky.

Bonus fun fact: Mackmyra was Sweden’s first single malt distillery and this year marks their 20th anniversary.

Here’s to more adventures out on the trail and in your glass. Sláinte!