Despite living more than half their lives in darkness, having a limited barley production and there being only nine million of them, the Swedes have suddenly become major players in whisky production. This is mainly thanks to entrepreneurial drive, innovative production methods and even a specialist venture capital company that provides funds during start-up and initial production. Forget your idea of a group of mates deciding after one too many that they are going to build their own distillery, from nothing the Swedes have become serious producers with substantial backing and a professional attitude.

Sweden and Scotland share a lot of the same characteristics that contribute to a favorable whisky-making environment. Sweden is not famed for its climate. However, to say the least, it is not that far removed from Scottish climes. In fact, according to both countries' national weather services, Stockholm and Edinburgh have to the nearest degree the same average June temperature. Sweden, just like Scotland, is also well known for its purity of water and unique, character defining water supply. Nine million fair haired souls is not a huge market, but have you ever been to Islay? Swedish is the second language there; Swedes have a huge interest in whisky and comprise some of the largest whisky societies in the world - large enough to regularly ship over Scottish experts to hold lectures. Swedes are nurtured on a diet of smoked meats, fish and caviar; so Islay's smoky whiskies sit right at home on the Swedish palate. The most important factor, conversely enough, is that the government makes it very hard to sell alcohol (it has to be sold through a government controlled monopoly), so Swedish producers view their home market as secondary and concentrate straight out of the starting blocks on export. Just like Scotland they plan to export much more than they sell at home.

The first Swedish whisky to hit the shelves was Mackmyra in March of 2006 after production began in 2002. The aging process sped up by maturing the whisky in smaller 100 litre barrels instead of the traditional Butts (500 litre) or Hogsheads (250 litre). Smaller barrels means more surface area per volume of whisky is going to come into contact with the barrel side, therefore inducing more flavour. These ever smaller barrels are supposed to put the maturation process on steroids and are actually broken down Bourbon barrels, remade in this new size. Mackmyra has also thought outside the box by maturing some whisky in new Swedish-grown oak barrels, coming away from traditional bourbon or sherry casks.

Along with Mackmyra there are amazingly seven other serious whisky producers in Sweden, most noticeably and arguably the most eagerly anticipated of these is Box Whisky, from the northern Swedish town of Kramförs. Unlike Mackmyra that has production, storage and their headquarters dotted around the country, Box will have everything situated at their distillery on the spectacular banks of the Ångermanälven in their converted power station. Box, who are backed by the same venture capital firm that has a stake in Mackmyra, are by no means schoolboys on their first day at school. They have been selling award winning special bottlings for a while now and are already known in their local marketplace. At the time of going to press the start of production is literally days away and Box, in keeping with their country's reputation of innovative marketing are already selling everything from their 39.25 litre "ankare" barrel to tiles on the distillery walls. The centralised and beautiful surroundings of Box's production mean that it is surely going to become a destination for whisky lovers worldwide.

Sweden has long since had a worldwide reputation for professional, slightly mad production of everything from furniture, to cars, to cell phones. Along with Japan, they are set to become another stop on the world map for whisky lovers.