Thornæs distillery

Introduction to Thornæs

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Thornæs is a Danish micro-distillery that beautifully marries traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. Located in the heart of Denmark, this boutique operation has rapidly built a reputation for delivering exceptional spirits crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a profound respect for both ingredients and process.

The distillery’s approach focuses on creating spirits that reflect the unique Danish terroir while embracing sustainable practices throughout their production methods.

Why we have a soft spot for Thornæs

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish distilleries that forge their own path and create something truly distinctive. Thornæs stands out for its commitment to locally sourced ingredients, experimental maturation techniques, and small-batch production that ensures exceptional quality control.

Their willingness to push boundaries while honoring traditional distillation methods results in spirits that are both innovative and authentic—exactly the kind of products we love to showcase.

The Story Behind Thornæs

Origin and development

Thornæs was founded in 2017 by Johannes Thornæs, who transformed his passion for fine spirits into a craft distillery focused on quality over quantity. Beginning with a small-scale operation in rural Denmark, Johannes set out to create spirits that would highlight Danish craftsmanship and local ingredients.

From these humble beginnings, Thornæs has expanded thoughtfully, gaining recognition first in Denmark and gradually throughout Europe for their distinctive approach to spirit-making.

The people behind

The distillery remains a family-run operation, with Johannes at the helm alongside a small team of dedicated craftspeople who share his vision for excellence. Each team member brings their unique expertise to the table, whether in fermentation, distillation, or maturation.

This collaborative approach ensures that every bottle leaving the distillery represents their collective dedication to creating spirits with character and integrity.

The Craft and Production

From raw materials to finished product

Production at Thornæs begins with carefully selected grains, predominantly Danish barley, which undergoes a traditional floor malting process. Their small copper pot still, custom-designed to their specifications, allows for precise control over the distillation process.

What sets Thornæs apart is their slow distillation approach, which takes significantly longer than industrial methods but preserves the delicate flavor compounds that give their spirits their distinctive character.

Maturation and aging

The maturation at Thornæs happens in a variety of casks, including ex-bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and experimental wine casks sourced from European vineyards. Their warehouse experiences significant seasonal temperature fluctuations, which accelerates the maturation process and creates a unique interaction between the spirit and wood.

Many of their releases are single cask expressions, offering enthusiasts a truly unique experience with each bottle, capturing a specific moment in the distillery’s journey.

Selected Products from Thornæs

Thornæs New Make Spirit – The essence of their craft

This unaged spirit provides a fascinating glimpse into the distillery’s DNA before any wood influence. With notes of fresh bread, green apple, and subtle floral undertones, it showcases the quality of their distillation and the character of their locally sourced grains.

At 63.5% ABV, it’s robust yet remarkably smooth, demonstrating the quality of their cuts during distillation.

Thornæs Single Cask Danish Whisky – A pioneer’s expression

Their flagship whisky expressions are typically bottled at cask strength, celebrating the unique character of each individual barrel. Expect a complex profile featuring orchard fruits, honey, vanilla, with a distinctive spicy character and rich mouthfeel that belies its relatively young age.

Each batch tells its own story, with detailed information about the specific cask type, malting process, and maturation conditions provided on each bottle.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Thornæs offers intimate tours by appointment, where visitors can experience the entire production process firsthand. The small-scale operation allows for detailed explanations and questions, making it an educational experience for spirit enthusiasts.

Tastings typically include their core expressions as well as work-in-progress samples direct from the cask, providing insight into the maturation journey and future releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thornæs?

Thornæs is a Danish craft distillery that produces premium spirits with a focus on showcasing local ingredients and traditional production methods. Their approach combines time-honored distillation techniques with innovative maturation experiments to create unique spirits with authentic Danish character.

Where is Thornæs located?

The distillery is located in rural Denmark, where the continental climate provides ideal conditions for both production and maturation. The surrounding agricultural landscape supplies many of the raw materials used in their spirits, creating a genuine sense of place in each bottle.

What characterizes Thornæs?

Thornæs is known for their commitment to small-batch production, focus on local ingredients, and experimental approach to maturation. Their spirits are characterized by exceptional purity, complexity despite their relative youth, and a distinctive Danish identity that sets them apart from more established whisky-producing regions.

Where can I buy spirits from Thornæs?

You can find selected bottles from Thornæs at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate both their core expressions and limited single cask releases, ensuring you have access to the finest examples of this exciting Danish distillery’s craft.