Armorik Double Maturation Single Malt Breton Whisky, Bretagne, France

Proud heir of France’s first Whisky.
 
On the brink of the 19th century, an industrious family with a decidedly non-French name — the Warenghems — set up a distillery by the river Léguer in Lannion. Their first release, Élixir d’Armorique, was an absolute hit, even outside Brittany. Eight decades later, another trailblazing blockbuster appeared: the first Breton and French Whisky. In 1998, the first French Single Malt followed, and it was named Armorik, honoring the legendary elixir. There’s a lot Armorik has in common with Scotch: the area shares the Celtic culture, and the climate is quite similar to misty hills of Scotland.
 
Armorik Double Maturation is a proud heir to the pioneer. The non-chill-filtered no-fake-color Single Malt first spends some time in new local Breton charred oak casks — a slight twist to the usual ex-Bourbon barrels for Scotch. Then, it’s moved to casks that used to hold Sherry. The first maturation brings a unique flavor character, while the second nicely rounds off the affair. The balance of dark notes and sweetness creates depth and a fantastic texture. Armorik may be obscure, but it’s a true gem and an instant classic.