Warenghem whiskies

History

The house was founded by Léon Warenghem at the beginning of the 20th century to make herbal liqueurs, including an elixir it still produces. In the middle of the century it moved to its current site, on the outskirts of Lannion. At the end of the eighties the family running it decided to make whisky, in a region with a tradition of beer and cider. First came the blends and, at the end of the nineties, Armorik, one of France’s first single malts. Since then the distillery has grown and is a benchmark of French whisky, which today has dozens of producers.

House style

Armorik’s style is fruity and honeyed: honey, apple, pear, cereal, vanilla and a briny, spicy touch. The house matures in bourbon and sherry casks, and in some versions uses Breton oak. It is bottled at a good strength. It uses no peat in its core range. It is a balanced malt, with more body than its youth suggests.

Where to start

Armorik Classic is the catalogue’s expression and a good gateway to French whisky: fruity, honeyed and with a briny touch. You’ll like it if you are interested in European whisky beyond Scotland. Drink it neat or with a few drops of water. If you like it, compare it with coastal Scotch malts, such as Old Pulteney, to see the differences. It is one of the best ways to discover Brittany in a glass.

• Armorik ClassicSingle malt · 46% ABV