Armorik Review

Country: France

Brand: Armorik "Edition Originale"

Type: Single Malt Whisky 

Age:  NAS (My Guess: 3-5 Years)

ABV: 40 %

Date: 27/07/2013

Colour: Light Amber

Nose: Rather discrete. Not unlike some light Irish or Canadian spirits. Unfortunately there's not too much going on here. Lots of Cereals and Green Wood. I also find Buttered Toast, Green Apples, Lemon and Honey. A typical young whisky. The Alcohol is a bit rough but does not really sting. No off-notes to be found.

Palate: Malt, Sweet Cereals, rather Bitter Wood, Lemon, Caramel, light Honey and slightly Bitter Orange-Juice.

Finish: Short, Light but Rough with Cereals and slightly Bitter Wood. The Armorik leaves a light Burning sensation on your Palate.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose gets additional Floral tones. More Butter as well. On the Palate it becomes really light but the Bitter Oak retreats somewhat. It burns slightly less as well. On the whole the added Water makes Armorik a bit more palatable.

Rating: 72

Nose: 18.5  - Taste: 18  - Finish: 17.5 - Overall: 18

General Remarks: The Armorik Single Malt is distilled at the Warenghem Distillery, founded at the end of the 19th century by the Warenghem Family. It is located in Lannion (Brittany) on the banks of the river Leguer. The Armorik was the first Single Malt in Brittany, introduced in 1999. The Distillery also produces beer and liqueurs. The Armorik is double distilled in copper stills using a blend of French Malted Barley and Granite-Filtered Water from a well on the Distillery ground. It matures mainly in Ex-Bourbon Casks but also some Refill Ex-Sherry butts are used. This Armorik costs between 25 and 30 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Below Average 

Conclusion: This is my first French Single Malt and I can't say I like the Armorik Original Edition a lot. It has all the characteristics of a young whisky. Lots of Cereals and Green Wood. In a Blind Tasting Session I could have easily identified this as a Bottom-Shelf Blended Whisky. The reason is the overall Grainy feel to this Dram. So while I enjoyed the experiment, I can't see myself drinking a full bottle of Armorik. Will try and get some of the other expressions of this distillery!

Jan van den Ende                                                                  July 2013