Stauning Whisky
Stauning Whisky is a privately held Danish grain-to-glass whisky distillery producing rye and malt whiskies via direct-fired copper pot stills and floor malting, serving premium whisky enthusiasts, hospitality, and collectors across 14+ countries through DTC e-commerce, Amazon, Waitrose, and specialist retailers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSkjern, Denmark
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Stauning Whisky does
Stauning Whisky A/S is a privately held Danish grain-to-glass whisky distillery founded in 2005 by nine friends in the village of Stauning on Denmark's West Coast. It operates a purpose-built distillery opened in 2018 with 24 small direct-fired copper pot stills, in-house floor malting of locally grown rye and barley, and a 4-day fermentation process. The distillery produces an annual wholly heather-smoked whisky batch using locally harvested heather and Danish peat — claimed to be the only such batch globally — alongside signature rye and malt expressions. Production capacity stands at up to 80,000 litres per year.
The portfolio spans a core range (R.Y.E., HØST, RØG, KAOS, Smoke Single Malt, R.Y.E. Cask Strength, R.Y.E. PX Sherry Oak) priced 399-749 DKK, a Research Series of experimental cask finishes (Bastard Mezcal Finish, El Clásico Vermouth Finish, Dirty Bastard) at 599 DKK, Danish Dry Gin at 249 DKK, and limited editions up to 10,000 DKK. Supporting offerings include Design Editions, tasting boxes with virtual tastings, collaboration products with Mikkeller, Carlsberg Research Laboratory, BRØL, Noma, and Bülow Lakrids, and a Cask Shares ownership programme at approximately 7,445-10,000 DKK per 1/25th share.
The business model combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce, Amazon UK/DE/US marketplaces, more than 250 Danish retailers, premium international retail anchors (Waitrose UK 126 stores, Selfridges, Systembolaget, LCBO), and specialist whisky shops across 14+ countries, supplemented by distillery tours, virtual tastings, and Cask Owners Day events. The company was recognised in Drinks International's Top 50 World's Most Admired Whiskies (2023), won Spirits Business Whisky Brand of the Year (2024), and received a World Whiskies Awards Gold in 2026. Noma restaurant has delisted all other whisky in favour of Stauning, providing the brand's most prominent endorsement.
Stauning Whisky firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Stauning Whisky
- Legal name
- Stauning Whisky A/S
- Website
- https://stauningwhisky.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Stauning Whisky is a privately held Danish grain-to-glass whisky distillery producing rye and malt whiskies via direct-fired copper pot stills and floor malting, serving premium whisky enthusiasts, hospitality, and collectors across 14+ countries through DTC e-commerce, Amazon, Waitrose, and specialist retailers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Stauning Whisky industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Craft Whisky / Distilled Spirits
- NAICS
- Distilleries (312140), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Premium, Rare & Collectible Alcohol Retail (Fine Wine/Spirits) (CRANAAAJ), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF)
Keywords
Where Stauning Whisky is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Skjern
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Stauning Whisky business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer Whisky Sales: Sale of whisky products directly through the Stauning e-commerce store. Core range includes HØST Double Malt (399 DKK), RØG Smoked Double Malt (449 DKK), R.Y.E. PX Sherry Oak (549 DKK), R.Y.E. Cask Strength (699 DKK), Smoke Single Malt (699 DKK), KAOS Triple Malt (599 DKK), and limited editions up to 749 DKK. Whisky Archive Collection offers volume discounts (10-20% off for 2-3+ bottles).
- Gin and Merchandise Sales: Sale of Stauning Danish Dry Gin (249 DKK), branded merchandise including whisky glasses, leather coasters, tote bags, apparel, and accessories. Also collaboration products with external brands.
- Cask Shares and Private Casks: Sale of fractional and full cask ownership. Cask shares are sold at approximately 7,445-10,000 DKK per share (1/25th of a 200-220L cask), yielding approximately 10-12 bottles upon bottling. Includes owners certificate, two distillery tour tickets, annual Cask Owners Day invitation, and numbered bottles.
- Distillery Experiences and Tours: Revenue from guided distillery tours with optional whisky tastings, lasting 90-120 minutes. Special events include exclusive tastings, cocktail courses, and corporate/group bookings. Also virtual tasting events combined with tasting box purchases.
- Wholesale and Retail Distribution: Wholesale distribution through more than 250 retailers in Denmark, Systembolaget (Sweden), specialist retailers across Germany, UK (Waitrose, Selfridges, The Whisky Shop, Hedonism Wines, Master of Malt), France, Netherlands, USA, Canada (LCBO), Australia, and Asian markets (Hong Kong, South Korea).
- Amazon Marketplace Sales: Sales through Amazon stores in the UK, Germany, and US, with some products marked as 'Item will be shipped via local partner' indicating third-party logistics integration.
- Used Cask Sales: Sale of used whisky casks to other producers, retailers, or private buyers. Available casks include Stauning Barley Single Malt (1st fill, 200L, previously held Maker's Mark Bourbon) and Stauning Smoke Single Malt (1st fill, 200L). Also experimentation casks from rum, cognac, mezcal, or fortified wine producers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Core Whisky Range |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Whiskies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cask Shares |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gin and Cocktail Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Archive Collection (Discounted) |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Used Cask Sales |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Distillery Tours |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels12 records
Marketing channels10 records
Stauning Whisky product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stauning Whisky manufactures and sells premium Danish grain-to-glass whisky from locally-sourced rye and barley. The product line spans core whisky expressions, research-series cask-finished whiskies, limited editions, Danish Dry Gin, branded merchandise, cask share investments, and on-site distillery tours. Operations centre on floor malting, 24 small direct-fired copper pot stills, and innovative cask maturations, with sales through e-commerce, retail, and on-premise hospitality channels across 14+ countries.
Product overview
Stauning Whisky is a Danish whisky distillery producing grain-to-glass whisky from rye and barley grown near their West Coast Denmark facility. The product portfolio centers on core whisky expressions (R.Y.E., HØST, RØG, KAOS, Smoke) with specialized variants finished in various cask types (Sherry, Mezcal, Vermouth, Porter, Maple Syrup). The Research Series (Bastard, El Clásico, Dirty Bastard) showcases experimental cask maturations, while Design Editions allow customer bottle customization. Supporting offerings include Danish Dry Gin, collaborative products with BRØL, Mikkeller, and Carlsberg, whisky tasting boxes with virtual experiences, and a Cask Shares investment program. Merchandise includes branded glassware, apparel, and accessories. The distillery also offers guided tours as an experiential component.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stauning R.Y.E. Whisky Signature malt whisky crafted from 100% locally-sourced, floor-malted Danish rye and barley, double distilled in small direct-fired copper pot stills and matured in virgin American white oak barrels, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and ripe cherries. Targets premium whisky enthusiasts.
- Stauning R.Y.E. Cask Strength Undiluted expression of signature floor-malted Danish rye, bottled at 60.3% vol, aged nearly 6 years in heavily charred virgin American oak barrels with layers of dark fruit and warm spice.
- Stauning R.Y.E. PX | Sherry Oak Deeper expression of signature rye, matured in virgin American oak then finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for dark fruit richness and velvety sweetness.
- Stauning HØST | Double Malt Whisky Smooth, fruit-forward double malt whisky crafted from single malt and malted rye whiskies, aged in American oak casks with a touch of Port wood, featuring floral undertones and tasting notes of vanilla, citrus, apple, and pear.
- Stauning RØG | Smoked Double Malt Whisky Lightly smoked double malt whisky bringing together single malt and malted rye, smoked using Danish peat and locally harvested heather, matured in American oak and finished in Madeira casks.
- Stauning KAOS | Triple Malt Whisky Triple malt whisky crafted with marriage of signature rye, single malt, and heather and peat smoked single malt, matured in virgin American white oak barrels and first-fill fortified wine and spirits casks.
- Stauning Smoke | Single Malt Whisky Gently smoked single malt crafted from 100% floor-malted local Danish barley, kiln-smoked using locally sourced heather and peat, double-distilled in direct-fired pot stills and matured in first-fill Bourbon, fortified wine, and heavily charred new American oak barrels.
- Stauning Bastard | Mezcal Finish Rye whisky aged in new virgin American oak casks then finished in mezcal casks from Mexican producer Oro de Oaxaca, with notes of sweet pipe tobacco smoke, raisins, citrus, vanilla, and dried fruit.
- Stauning El Clásico | Vermouth Finish Rye whisky finished in sweet Spanish vermouth casks, featuring notes of apples, oranges, ripe plum, warm spices, and bittersweet botanicals from vermouth.
- Stauning Dirty Bastard | Mezcal, Tequila & Stout Finish Bold extension of Bastard whisky, double matured in mezcal and tequila casks as well as stout casks from Danish breweries To Øl and Fanø Bryghus, featuring notes of grain, cinnamon, cocoa, dark chocolate, vanilla, and dark beer.
- Limited Edition Smoked R.Y.E. Porter Beer Cask Limited studio edition where smoked R.Y.E. whisky is finished in porter beer casks from Danish craft brewery To Øl. Mashbill of 60% rye and 40% barley, with notes of vanilla, campfire smoke, black coffee, and chocolate.
- Design Edition | Stauning Smoke Single Malt Whisky Customer-customisable bottle where purchasers design their own bottle with stickers and gold pen; contains the same Smoke Single Malt whisky with gentle smoky taste and complex character.
- Stauning Danish Dry Gin Danish dry gin made with classic gin ingredients and locally harvested pine shoots, distilled in direct-fired copper pot stills using the one-shot method, featuring juniper, citrus, gentle spice, and subtle pine.
- Stauning R.Y.E. Tasting Box 6x5cl + Virtual Tasting Limited tasting set including six 5cl bottles of carefully selected Stauning whiskies paired with a live Virtual Tasting Event hosted by founders Alex, Lasse, and Martin.
- Stauning Tasting Box 3x5cl - HØST | Rye | KAOS Tasting set containing three 5cl miniatures of HØST, Rye, and KAOS whiskies, including a tasting guide with flavour tips and quiz.
- Cask Shares Program Investment product allowing purchase of fractional ownership in Stauning whisky casks (e.g., 1/25th shares at 7,445-10,000 DKK), yielding 10-12 bottles upon bottling, and including owner's certificate, two distillery tour tickets, annual Cask Owners Day invitation, and numbered bottles.
- Guided Distillery Tours & Tastings Guided 90-120 minute tours of the Stauning distillery covering malting and distillation areas, with optional whisky tastings of signature Single Malt and Single Rye expressions. Includes special events such as exclusive tastings, cocktail courses, corporate/group bookings, and virtual tastings paired with tasting boxes.
- BRØL x Stauning Nordic Highball Hard seltzer created in collaboration with BRØL brewery, infused with Stauning HØST whisky and featuring upcycled ginger pulp from Frankly Juice, with notes of ginger, bergamot, and whisky fruitiness.
- Porcelæn West Coast IPA (Mikkeller x Stauning) West Coast IPA brewed by Mikkeller with Stauning's floor-malted rye and barley at its heart, brewed at Warpigs Copenhagen to celebrate the 20th anniversary of both Stauning Whisky and Mikkeller.
- Master Distiller's Brew (Carlsberg // Stauning) Whisky-barrel aged lager beer matured for six months in ex-Rye whisky casks from Stauning Whisky. Limited edition of 5,000 bottles released in 75cl champagne-style bottles.
- Bülow Lakrids Stick - New Day
- Glencairn Whisky Glass (15cl) Specialty whisky glass designed to enhance aroma and flavour, featuring the Stauning Whisky logo and packaged in a branded cardboard box.
- Stauning Whisky Glass (25cl) Copita-shaped glass etched with the Stauning Whisky logo, designed for nosing and swirling whisky.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ranked #1 Danish whisky and first Danish distillery on Drinks International's Top 50 World's Most Admired Whiskies list (2023)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Stauning Whisky
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Stauning Whisky technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Stauning Whisky partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- MikkellercoreCollaboration celebrating 20th anniversary (porcelain anniversary) of both Stauning and Mikkeller. Product: Porcelæn West Coast IPA brewed at Warpigs Copenhagen using Stauning's floor-malted rye and barley (mirroring HØST's malt composition) and three hop varieties reflecting fruity/floral whisky notes. Mikkeller has also previously aged beers in Stauning Whisky casks.
- Carlsberg Research LaboratorymajorCollaboration producing the Master Distiller's Brew - a premium lager beer matured for 6 months in Stauning ex-Rye whisky casks. Carbonated post-maturation for champagne-like quality. Released in 75cl champagne bottles (5,000 total). A unique cross-industry collaboration between a craft distillery and global brewing giant's research division.
- Noma RestaurantcoreRené Redzepi's world-famous Noma Restaurant in Copenhagen delisted all other whisky in favour of Stauning, making it their exclusive whisky pour. Noma also partnered on 'Noma Projects 005: Whisky Vinegar', using Stauning Rye Whisky as the base for a specialty vinegar product. This represents the highest endorsement in the global fine dining world.
- To ØlmajorDanish craft brewery providing stout beer casks (Mash Test Yummies) for Stauning's Dirty Bastard and Porter Beer Cask (Smoked R.Y.E.) limited editions. These casks add dark roasted notes of coffee, chocolate, and dark beer character to the whisky.
- Fanø BryghusminorDanish craft brewery on Fanø island providing stout casks (Red Wedding & Black Wedding) used in Stauning Dirty Bastard finish.
- bird (Copenhagen)minorCopenhagen cocktail bar collaborated on the development of BRØL x Stauning Nordic Highball, providing expertise in cocktail development and flavour balance.
- BRØLminorDanish brewery collaborating on BRØL x Stauning Nordic Highball - a hard seltzer infused with Stauning HØST double malt whisky, featuring upcycled ginger pulp from Frankly Juice. Brewed for sunny days, spontaneous toasts, and circular thinking.
- Frankly JuiceminorDanish producer supplying upcycled ginger pulp for the BRØL x Stauning Nordic Highball, supporting the product's sustainability credentials and circular economy positioning.
- Thit HansgaardminorDanish tattoo artist creating bottle artwork for Stauning Bastard (Xoloitzcuintle/Mexican hairless dog), El Clásico (half bull/half demon), and Dirty Bastard. Artwork incorporates elements from mezcal, beer, and whisky production.
- Finn JuhlminorDanish furniture architect collaborating on 'The Whisky Chair' - Stauning's most expensive bottle to date. Only 250 numbered bottles produced, combining a limited edition whisky with a Finn Juhl-designed glass.
- WaitrosemajorUK national supermarket chain. Stauning HØST launched in 126 Waitrose stores nationwide in the UK, both in-store and online at Waitrose.com. Represents a major retail breakthrough for the brand in the competitive UK market.
- Maker's Mark (Bourbon)majorUsed cask supplier for Stauning's whisky maturation programme. Barley Single Malt and Smoke Single Malt are matured in 1st fill casks previously holding Maker's Mark Bourbon. Virgin American white oak casks from Maker's Mark provide vanilla, coconut, and spice notes.
- Oro de Oaxaca (Mezcal)minorMexican mezcal producer supplying casks for Stauning Bastard. These casks are used for the second maturation of Stauning's rye whisky, adding mezcal's smoky, agave-forward character to the spirit.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Stauning Whisky competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mackmyra Svensk Whisky: Mackmyra is a Swedish grain-to-glass craft whisky distillery, the most direct Nordic analogue to Stauning, producing terroir-driven single malts and rye from locally sourced grains and innovating with Swedish botanicals. Both target premium craft whisky drinkers seeking alternatives to Scotch and have similar distribution scale across European markets.
- Bruichladdich Distillery: Bruichladdich is a Scottish Islay distillery known for terroir-led, farm-gate production and progressive cask experimentation — closely mirroring Stauning's grain-to-glass philosophy and innovative cask finishes. Both champion local sourcing, transparency, and unconventional maturation approaches in the premium craft segment.
- Kilchoman Distillery: Kilchoman is a small Scottish Islay farm distillery doing 100% on-site floor malting, growing its own barley, and producing heavily peated single malts at craft scale. Comparable to Stauning in scale, in-house malting approach, and terroir-driven storytelling targeting premium enthusiasts.
- Westland Distillery: Westland is an American craft single malt distillery in Seattle that emphasises terroir, single-cask transparency, and proprietary cask programs. Like Stauning, it positions grain provenance and innovative cask finishing as core differentiators in the premium craft whisky category.
- Waterford Distillery: Waterford is an Irish single malt distillery built around terroir-driven production, single-farm origin whiskies, and traceability. Its terroir-first philosophy and use of varied cask finishes make it one of the closest conceptual peers to Stauning's grain-to-glass Danish model.
Emerging players
- Penderyn Distillery: Penderyn is a small Welsh single malt distillery producing premium whisky from a non-traditional region, similar to Stauning as a country-of-origin pioneer. Both compete for placement in UK export markets and rely on award recognition to build credibility against dominant Scotch.
- Kavalan Whisky: Kavalan is a Taiwanese distillery that pioneered premium craft whisky from a non-traditional whisky region and broke into the global Top 10 through awards. It represents the upside trajectory Stauning could follow as a non-Scotch, non-Japanese origin commanding premium prices internationally.
- Teeling Whiskey: Teeling is a Dublin-based craft distillery that revived Irish whiskey in the premium craft segment, with innovative cask finishes and DTC storytelling. Comparable to Stauning in scale, brand-led innovation, and category-building ambition outside Scotch.
Others
- Mikkeller: Mikkeller is a Danish craft brewery and collaboration partner that co-created Porcelæn West Coast IPA with Stauning and has aged beers in Stauning casks. It is relevant as an adjacent premium Nordic craft beverage peer and ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Diageo: Diageo is the world's largest premium spirits company and owner of dominant Scotch and international whisky brands (Johnnie Walker, Talisker, etc.). Relevant as the broad incumbent Stauning competes against for retail shelf space, on-premise listings, and consumer mindshare in the premium whisky category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Stauning Whisky social profiles
Digital presenceStauning Whisky financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Stauning Whisky leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Stauning Whisky funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Stauning Whisky M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Stauning Whisky
What does Stauning Whisky do?
Stauning Whisky manufactures and sells premium Danish grain-to-glass whisky from locally-sourced rye and barley. The product line spans core whisky expressions, research-series cask-finished whiskies, limited editions, Danish Dry Gin, branded merchandise, cask share investments, and on-site distillery tours. Operations centre on floor malting, 24 small direct-fired copper pot stills, and innovative cask maturations, with sales through e-commerce, retail, and on-premise hospitality channels across 14+ countries.
Is Stauning Whisky a public or private company?
Stauning Whisky is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Stauning Whisky founded?
Stauning Whisky was founded in 2005. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Stauning Whisky based?
Stauning Whisky is headquartered in Skjern, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Stauning Whisky make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer Whisky Sales are the primary driver. The others are gin and Merchandise Sales, cask Shares and Private Casks, distillery Experiences and Tours, wholesale and Retail Distribution, amazon Marketplace Sales and used Cask Sales.
Who are Stauning Whisky's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mackmyra Svensk Whisky, Bruichladdich Distillery, Kilchoman Distillery, Westland Distillery and Waterford Distillery. Emerging players are Penderyn Distillery, Kavalan Whisky and Teeling Whiskey. Mikkeller is listed as an others. Diageo is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Stauning Whisky have an API?
No public API is recorded for Stauning Whisky.
What industry is Stauning Whisky in?
Stauning Whisky's product category is Premium Craft Whisky / Distilled Spirits. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAC, Spirits Distilling & Brands, with a secondary code of THAJAGAF, Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka). Its NAICS code is 312140 and its SIC code is 2080.