24 drams till Christmas 2016 #18: Armorik Double Maturation NAS

Armorik Double Maturation NASDram data:
Distillery: Warenghem
Bottler: official bottling
Distilled: –
Bottled: 2013/14-ish
Age: NAS
Limitation: –
Casks: ex-bourbon/ex-sherry
Alcohol: 46%
unchillfiltered and uncoloured
Whiskybase link

French Whisky? Why yes, the French aren’t just the largest continental European market for Scotch, they also produce their own!

Tasting notes:
Colour:
 red gold
The nose is surprisingly “Scottish” for a French whisky! This could pass for a light, young, fruity, sherried Speysider! Rather light, with a noticeable alcoholic note, paired with vanilla, stewed apples and pears, cherries, light mulled wine spices with a hint of ginger and sweet supermarket cream sherry. Very pleasant and gentle. Let’s try the palate: Ah yes, now the youthfulness shines through, you can feel the sweet sherry finish fighting with a young-ish (resulting in a metallic note) ex-bourbon matured distillate. Alcohol, dark chocolate, stewed green apples, pepper, ginger, a hint of dark fruits from the sherry influence. The metallic note is more noticeable on the second sip. Enjoyable for casual sipping, but it’s still got a ways to go – or mature – to develop into a rich, aged product. The medium long finish has a noticeable alcoholic note with a metallic edge upon swallowing, followed by malty sweetness, chocolate, a touch of dark fruits and oak!

Verdict:
So… young French whisky, “finished” in sherry casks – they call it double maturation on the label, but it definitely feels like more of a finish. Basically there’s nothing wrong with it – perfectly sippable and “nice enough” whisky with a young edge to it. The only trouble is, there are many, many alternatives in the market at this price range. But the base quality is there and it’s got me intrigued to try some of the older products from the Warenghem distillery, which are sold under the brand name “Armorik”.

Score: 73/100
(Nose: 78 Palate: 72 Finish: 72)

Thanks to my brother Johannes for the dram!

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