Waldviertler
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Austria's oldest dedicated whisky distillery, located in the remote Waldviertel (Forest Quarter) region of Lower Austria near the Czech border. Founded by Johann and Monika Haider, who were inspired by a trip to Scotland and decided to produce whisky using locally grown rye and barley from Waldviertel's high-altitude granite plateau (600m+). The Waldviertel has extremely cold winters -- among the coldest in Austria -- which slows maturation and produces whiskies with fine-grained complexity. The J.H. branded whiskies include single malt, single rye, and unique oat whiskies. Ages in Austrian oak, sherry, and bourbon casks. The on-site Whisky Experience World is Austria's only whisky museum and visitor center. The Haiders were pioneers in establishing Austria as a legitimate whisky-producing nation, and their 'Nobile' aged expressions can compete with quality Scotch.