Gwalarn (pronounced gwee-yarn) is the first blended whisky created by the Celtic Whisky Distillerie in Brittany, France. The blend features whiskies of Celtic origin. This includes the distillery’s own peated single malt, plus unpeated Scotch and German whiskies. The name derives from the local Breton language, once prevalant in northern France, and is the name given to the ‘north west wind’. It has been created by Aël Guégan, the Distiller and Cellar Master at Celtic Whisky Distillerie.
The distillery was founded in 1997 by Jean Donnay and named as Glann ar Mor. The first spirit flowed from the stills in 1999. Two single malt whiskies appeared over time – the peated Kornog (this name is given to the west wind that blows off the Atlantic Ocean) and unpeated Glann ar Mor (which means ‘by the sea’ in the Breton language). The distillery is located in Côtes-d’Armor in northern Brittany, France. It was sold to Maison Villevert in 2020, who changed the name to Celtic Whisky Distillerie in 2023. Gwalarn was introduced at the same time.
The Gwalarn Celtic Whisky Blend is bottled at 40% ABV and is available in selected European markets including France, Germany and the UK. This is a traditional blend made with single malt and sinle grain whisky. There is also a blended malt version, which sports a red label. A bottle should cost around £45.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is bright gold and the nose is packed with aromas of crisp green apple, runny honey and vanilla custard. There is also a distinct malty characteristic that sits underneath, which has a biscuity edge. A wisp of gentle peat smoke wraps around everything and adds depth, as does a pinch of dusty baking spice. A hint of lemon zest is evident.
On the palate this whisky is soft and sweet but with a hint of savoury in the background. It is immediately energetic and laced with honey and malt upfront with some vanilla cream joining quickly. The maltiness develops to become very biscuity with a hint of milk chocolate and cocoa powder. Fruitiness is on show and reminiscent of white peach flesh and tart green apple.
The ashy and earthy peat smoke swirls around and gives a great depth and complexity. It has a feel of dying barbeque charcoal or bonfire embers with a hint of bitter green herbs (maybe drying seaweed?), old tobacco or cigar box, and an evolving minerality. The lemon zest (or is it grapefruit?) comes through again at the death.
The finish is of decent length and has a lovely marriage of the honeyed sweetness, biscuity malt and that gentle ashy peat smoke. The smoke lingers particulalry well and dries out the whisky in the mouth.
What’s The Verdict?
This is an intriguing whisky. The marriage of French whisky from their own distillery with that from Scotland and Germany is somewhat irregular. But the result is tasty and enjoyable. It demonstrates a lovely combination of green orchard fruit, honey, bold and robust malt, and delicate peat smoke. Gwalarn is a good blended whisky and delightful taken neat. We sampled as a soda highball too and it really shone. Very versatile.
