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Whisky Review: Armorik Sherry Finish

We review Armorik Sherry Finish, a single malt made in France from 100% French-grown barley.

OVERALL RATING

5
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Armorik Sherry Finish

Tasting Notes

About:

Appearance:
Pale gold in color. Fast-running legs without any appreciable beading reveal the stripes of a spirit that is fairly young in age.
Nose:
Baby vomit, wet hay, Valentine’s day candy, caramel, watermelon-flavored Jolly Ranchers, rose water, Abuelita hot chocolate powder, over-ripe apples, and a fairly pungent style of malt.
Palate:
The palate is better than the nose. That rancid barley note is magically transformed into a nicely palatable Malt-O-Meal sort of thing that reminds me of my childhood. With time in the mouth, the whisky morphs into a peppery number, along with black licorice, and some allspice. A little fruit is here on the palate, as well, but it’s subdued, mingling with sweet nothings akin to caramel. There’s quince, orange marmalade, and lemon zest. Despite the title, this whisky isn’t very “winey,” and it certainly isn’t very oaky. Let me take another sip. Oh, interesting. Now, I’m getting dark roast coffee beans, sourdough toast with butter, and a hint of a Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut. The youth of this Armorik whisky prolongs its finish, but not in a particularly sophisticated way. Length is medium, with a touch of slightly curdled malt that goes bitter–not due to an oak influence from the casks, but rather from a mysterious little pat of ash and coffee grounds. Seems a bit contrived.
Finish:
Comments:

Yes, believe it or not, the French love whisky, and there are also a respectable number of distilleries in France. According to a rather vague and corporately-contrived(?) study in 2016, the French are said to be the largest consumers of whisky in the world, especially Scotch.rnrnI can only assume this figure was calculated based upon a per capita percentage of population, because Americans consume tremendous quantities of Scotch due to the fact that America is the third largest nation on earth with a much higher average income than any other countries in the world’s Top Ten most populous.rnrnIt’s also possible that Serge Valentin has thrown off the curve, in France, based upon his own voluminous personal consumption of rare and wondrous single malt Scotches, especially from mothballed distilleries. I find it a bit curious that Serge only gave the Armorik Breton Single Malt Sherry Finish whisky 78 points on his famous Whisky Fun website. Then again, I can’t say as though I’m surprised. All “vomit jokes” aside, this Breton single malt would be more agreeable on ice. “Barkeep, glace s’il vous plait.”rnrnAnyhow, let’s not completely write off the scent of baby vomit as horrible. What’s that you say, Serge? Tu as plutot raison. Moi aussi. Not all puke is created equal. Hear, hear. I second that motion. Time for another round of drinks. Speaking of which, all of this infantile jibber-jabber is making me nostalgic for a hit of Laddie Ten…neat.


Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Whisky Kirk

Kirk Sig's fascination with Scottish whisky ignited in 1987 during a visit to Edinburgh. In the ensuing three and a half decades, he has cultivated an extensive understanding of distilleries, the whisky industry, and the global whisky landscape.

Kirk prides himself on providing candid and unvarnished reviews, eschewing the prevalent flattery and fluff that often permeate whisky commentary. This direct approach has occasionally ruffled feathers in influential circles, which he views as a testament to his commitment to prioritize the interests of the consumer.

Embracing the spirit of investigative journalism, Kirk's reviews delve deeper, leaving no stone—or cask—unturned. He believes in transparency and ensures that readers are privy to any noteworthy findings, fostering an informed and empowered whisky community.

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