The Brenne 10 Years Old is an annual bottling that features just four hand-selected casks for each batch. The French single malt has aged for a decade in a combination of new French Limousin oak and ex-Cognac casks. It is made using 100% French organic barley, which is grown in the Cognac region of south west France. Water for production is taken from the Charente River. Our sample is from the 2023 batch.
Brenne whisky is produced at a third-generation family-owned distillery which is located in the Cognac region of France. The distillery has been making eau-de-vie for large Cognac houses since the 1920s. The Brenne whisky brand was created by Allison Parc, a former ballerina, in 2012. She has worked in collaboration with the distillery since. They produce the single malt in the period of the year (April to September) when it is legally not allowed to produce Cognac. It is double distilled through the same alembic Charentais stills.
The Brenne 10 Years Old is bottled at 48% ABV and is both non-chill filtered and of natural colour. It is available from selected specialist whisky retailers in France, the UK and other selected European markets upon release or via brennewhisky.com. A bottle should cost around £75.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is pale gold and the nose is sweet, malty and grassy. Delicate aromas of honey, fudge and icing sugar lead the way with some marzipan and fresh mintiness also coming through. Underneath is a baked biscuity aroma, some dried hay and a pinch of woody cinnamon spice.
On the palate this whisky is sweet, light and elegant. There is a light icing sugar dusting to begin followed by something fruity and floral. This is reminiscent of confected strawberry and rose petal. Then comes a distinct malty and oaty characteristic that underpins everything. This increases with time into the finish.
The intiial fruitiness is followed up by plump sultana, juicy raisin and hints of burnt orange and molasses. Some milky chocolate and a warming hint of gingerbread and white pepper also come through nicely to add depth. A tiny hint of the refreshing mint from the nose, plus eucalyptus come through towards the end.
The finish is of decent length. The fruit and delicate sweetness hold well before fading. This allows an extra woody quality and warming late spices to develop and shine. This pulls the finish out nicely. A late hint of molasses rounds things off.
What’s The Verdict?
The Brenne 10 Years Old (2023 edition) is a pleasurably light and sweet style of whisky. There are a lovely set of delicate characteristics that maintain a delightful elegance and balance. It is not overly complex but would be a fantastic sipper on a warm Spring or Summer day. This is one of the best French whiskies that we have tasted to date.
