THORSLUNDKAGGE
– Henrik’s Foreword
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing and working with a vast array of spirits and wines aged in oak barrels. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I had the opportunity to explore the unique qualities of Swedish oak. While the rums I use in my products today have already matured primarily in used American white oak barrels, I was deeply intrigued by the distinct character that Swedish oak could impart.
Driven by curiosity and passion, I acquired two brand-new 220L medium-toasted Swedish oak barrels, and with that, the idea for a KRONAN Limited Edition was born. The plan was simple—fill the barrels with our proprietary rum blend at 60% ABV and let time work its magic, bottling only when we felt the blend had reached perfection.
To my delight, within just a few months of aging, early tastings revealed a remarkable transformation. I had anticipated a certain roughness from the oak, but instead, I discovered beautifully soft oak notes, adding layers of depth and complexity I had never encountered before. The evolution was astonishing.
By January 2024, after one full year in the barrels, it was time to bottle. To further highlight the refined oak influence and bring out the best in the rum, we decided on a bottling strength of 30% ABV, with a slightly lower sugar content of 200g/L, while still remaining within the EU regulations for Swedish Punsch.
Thorslundkagge’s barrels have proven to be an exceptional tool in our craft, elevating our products in ways I could never have imagined. And so, three new barrels have already been filled with our rum once again. When will the next Limited Edition be released? Well, who knows! The only thing I can say for certain is… it will be something truly extraordinary.
And what becomes of the used barrels, you ask? Well, in true cooperage tradition, we fill them once more—this time for our KRONAN Rum!
Cheers to craftsmanship, innovation, and the timeless magic of oak!
— Henrik Facile
Craft tradition where the core of production is Swedish oak.
Thorslundkagge combines a love for wood with solid craftsmanship and modern specialized techniques. The result is wooden barrels that impart a unique character to beverages and a wide range of garden barrels, all sharing one thing in common – the highest quality in every detail.
History
“Johan asked to make a wooden barrel, but the teacher was firm in saying it was too difficult, so no barrel was made that semester. But within the young Johan, the determination had only grown stronger.”
Since childhood, Johan Thorslund has had a strong will and a desire to create something of his own. Even then, he had a deep love for wood as a material and a passion for working with his hands. Then came a day during the final semester of woodworking class when the teacher gave students free rein for a last project. Without realizing it himself, Johan took his first steps toward what would later become Thorslundkagge.
Johan asked to make a wooden barrel, but the teacher was firm in saying it was too difficult. No barrel was made that semester, but within the young Johan, the determination had only grown stronger.
Johan apprenticed for a week under Karl Lindbom, who was then Sweden’s only master cooper, to learn the basics of the craft. A trip to Gotland gave him the opportunity to make simpler barrels from pine and spruce, sparking an even greater passion for the trade.
The following year, Johan and his father traveled to the UK in search of craftsmen who could nurture Johan’s strong desire to learn coopering. At a brewery in northern England, they found the knowledge they were looking for, and it was agreed that Johan would return in the summer to continue his training. That winter, with the skills he had gained over the years, he crafted his first oak barrel.
In 1997, Johan became the first person in Sweden in 50 years to earn a Master’s Certificate in coopering. Today, our oak barrels and expertise are more valued and in demand than ever. Every day at Thorslundkagge, we work to bring together our vision and craftsmanship.
Thank you for your interest in Thorslundkagge!