Warenghem Distillery Armorik Classic Single Malt Whisky (700ml)

Warenghem distillery is located in Lannion in the north of Brittany. Originally the company produced a herbal elixir (still available today) then moved on to fruit liqueurs. They began making blended whiskeys in 1987 and then tackled the single malt category in 1998, an unusual move. It has paid off in spades as they've won several awards in a short time. The cornerstone of the range, Armorik Classic, brings together the best from the warehouse in a marriage of sherry and bourbon casks of different ages. Non chill filtered.

Tasting note: Pale straw gold. Pure and attractive scents of gobstopper, marshmallow and sweet malt. Aeration adds a whiff of pepper. Seamlessly integrates flavours of cocoa, lightly peppered malt and sooty peat followed by hints of beeswax, dried banana and almond biscotti in the finish. Outstanding purity and poise. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Armorik is made by Distilleries Warenghem in the Brittany region of Northern France and you expect something gutsy and rugged. This is nothing of the sort, though the relatively high strength and the fact that it's non-chill filtered ensure plenty of taste, including a scattering of spices that tickle and tingle the palate at the finish. Before then, though, the key flavors are vanilla, honeyed cereal, overripe melon, and banana. Delightful. 84 points - www.maltadvocate.com, (Winter 2011) Reviewed by: Dominic Roskrow

...the oak is confident enough to go head to head with the big barley: complex, lively stuff; attrctive, gristy sweetness. Subtle oils spread the barley intensity. Dries towards a powdery vanilla. Quietly sophisticated malt. 88 points - Jim Murrays Whisky Bible 2014

"An extremely well-made, if young, spirit. One to watch." - David Broom, whiskymag.com