Armorik In France Debuts 15 Year Old French Whisky, Among Others

The Armorik French whisky brand, considered a pioneer in that nation’s evolving domestic whisky scene, recently unveiled two new expressions, including a 15 year old offering.

The new Armorik 15 Years Old, according to those behind it, is said to be the first permanent 15 years old French whisky and is being made available as a limited edition of 1,500 bottles per year. It becomes the brand’s second bottling with an age statement.

It has been matured for 9 years in ex-bourbon casks and transferred to sherry Oloroso casks for 6 more years. Bottled at 46%, un-chillfiltered and natural color, it is being sold in France at around 95 EUR.

“Armorik 15 years old has acquired with age a sort of elegant, aromatic fullness, while retaining the fruity freshness characteristic of our distillate,” said Armorik officials in a prepared statement.

Official tasting notes for the Armorik 15 Years Old are as follows:

• Nose: Rich and intense, the nose tends towards ripe exotic fruits (mango and passion). The maturity stands out with aromas of rancio and varnished wood. Sweet notes follow, with peach, honey, caramel and dried apricot. The whole ends on cumin and a fine touch of peat.
• Palate: Sharp and sweet, the palate starts on fresh fruit (ripe pear, banana) and evolves towards a sweet touch of honeyed candy and exotic fruit. The fruitiness is enhanced by peppery and spicy notes of clove and cinnamon.
• Finish: Long and warm, the finish swings between spicy and slightly smoky notes. It ends on a sweet note of peach jam.

Joining this whisky in release is a limited edition of Armorik’s peated Breton Single Malt, Yeun Elez, bottled a at cask strength of 58.7% ABV and matured in ex-Pineau des Charentes casks. It is a little over five years old, and official tasting notes for it are below.

• Nose: Intense and tasty. At first nose, medicinal flavors on camphor, clove and a minty side come out followed by patisserie and fruity flavors on custard financier and peach. As the peat fades, it gives way to pepper and a hint of Cognac, with a slightly herbal and woody notes.
• Palate: Freshness and sweetness despite the high degree! The palate tends on caramel candy and honey, accompanied by a very elegant smokiness, a little more on wood fire than on medicinal. Very fruity aromas of pear and peach follow.
• Finish: Exceptionally long, the finish evolves on wood-roasted banana.