Bastille 1789 Single Malt is a french whisky created by the folks at Maison Daucort and is the single malt component of the infamous blended Bastille French Whisky I tried three years go; a whisky I’m going to revisit soon. Though for now let’s just focus on the Bastille single malt.
In Maison Daucourt’s Words: Bastille Single Malt French Whisky
“BASTILLE 1789’s innovative distillation process combines traditional and cutting- edge techniques to express the natural characteristics of our terroir, water and malt.
BASTILLE Single Malt sources its unique taste profile from the Limousin Oak cask style that previously aged some of the finest wines such as Sauterne, Burgundy, Sherry as well as a French Spirit. Its delicate aromas and smooth profile make BASTILLE 1789 Single Malt a “ONE OF A KIND” experience and a category on its own.”
If I didn’t know any better I’d say they’re more than a little inspired by Bruichladdich. The focus on terroir, the use of different wine casks and even the end result reminds me a bit of some of the wine finished Bruichladdichs I’ve had. Anyways, on with the Bastille 1789 Single Malt review!
Bastille 1789 Single Malt Info
Region: France
Distiller: Maison Daucourt
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon & Limousin Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Price: $80*
Bastille 1789 Single Malt Review
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Malt, overripe apricots, cocoa, waxy red licorice, Honey Nut Cheerios, copper and intermittent bits of perfumy bubble gum, bergamot and a wee bit of spirit.
PALATE
Dried apricots, earthy malt, waxy licorice, cocoa, bergamot, Honey Nut Cheerios, copper and an ashy / burnt character. Some light touches of perfumy vanilla show up now and then. There is a slight young spirity aspect coming through now and then. It’s not distracting, but it is worth mentioning.
FINISH
Medium fade of earthy malt, copper, dried apricot and bergamot.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body and a soft velvety feel
OVERALL
The Bastille 1789 Single Malt is a bit better than its blended brother. The aroma is darkly fruity and malty while the palate and finish are more darkly malty and fruity; mirror images of each other. It does come across a bit young, but there’s nothing that truly stands out about it in either the positive or the negative which is why lands roughly in the middle of the B range.
In the end it’s a mild mannered and average, but decent, single malt that is a little rough around the edges. I try not to talk about price lately, because value is so subjective, but for me it’s a bit hard to consider this at $80 when for just $10 more I can get a 20-year-old Arran. Price aside the Bastille 1789 Single Malt is not a bad little malt and would make a decent around-the-house sipper and mixer if that’s what you’re looking for.
SCORE: 84/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Bastille 1789 Single Malt was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
