Armorik Double Maturation is a French Single malt that takes a slightly different route than it’s Irish and Scottish cousins and uses new charred oak barrels instead of the more common ex-bourbon barrels. Made from white oak sourced from local Brittany forests, the barrels are charred and filled with new make where it ages “till it’s ready” and is then transferred to ex-sherry casks for a second round of maturation.
This usage of the new charred casks gives the whisky a unique character and overall flavor profile that I found myself enjoying thoroughly and sets it apart from just about anything else in the single malt market. If you’re looking for something tasty, aromatic and a little bit different then I’d suggest you give this a whirl. It’s a good example of experimentation gone right.
Armorik Double Maturation Info
Region: Brittany, France
Distiller: Warenghem
Mashbill: 100% Malted barley
Cask: New brittany oak barrels & ex-Sherry
Age: NAS
ABV: 46%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $50
Armorik Double Maturation Review
EYE
Fresh caramel
NOSE
Dark raisiny fruitiness, vanilla, malt and a woody bit of sherry moves through the foreground while lighter notes of cocoa, apricots and leather trail through.
PALATE
Malty and fruity with big notes of dried dark fruit. Vanilla and dark honey mix with a touch of citrus in the middle and a light bit of cocoa powder and wood come through towards the end.
FINISH
Long malty finish with notes of vanilla, honey, cocoa and dark fruit.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Perfectly balanced with a full round body and a rich oily texture.
OVERALL
Armorik Double Maturation is my favorite of the Armoriks. Like the others it’s well crafted with a nice balance and structure to it accompanied by a great texture or mouthfeel if you will. The addition of the darker notes to help balance out the sweeter notes adds some depth to the whisky, but it’s not complex or deep enough to make it to the 90s. It’s a great whisky, but in the end still feels a bit muted, like it’s holding back a bit.
SCORE: 88/100
*Disclosure: This was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.