Whisky : Vicomte 8 Year

Country/Region : France/Poitou-Charentes

ABV : 40%

Cask : Ex-Cognac Limousin Oak

Tasting : Neat in a Glencairn @ Home.

Nose : Opens with a cannon shot of fruity apple banana which borders on being more like the artificial banana of laffy-taffy. There are some interesting herbal malty notes which offer the impression of creamy fresh cut grass and compliment the wood resin or oak hanging in the background.

Palate : The first sip features a prominent bouquet of tropical fruits: pineapple, soursop, chico (sapodilla). Juicy at first it turns more towards candied pineapple over time. The body is mild and smooth with a faint notes of smoke and iodine.

Finish : It lingers much longer than the weak body would lead you to expect: oily and sweet on the back of the palate, it’s akin to the creamy sweetness of fresh heavy cream or extra creamy butter.

Score : 5

Notes : Long story short: I enjoyed the Victome enough to order a bottle after trying a brief sample. French whisky makes for an excellent whisky party conversation piece; say did you know France imports more scotch than anywhere else? Did you know they make single malts in France? Want to try one?

I was really surprised how much I enjoyed the Vicomte, the fruit and hint of smoke that came out in it really brought the whole dram together and reminded me a great deal of Bastille. Vicomte also makes cognac, so I believe they are probably using better casks than their French competitors. I look forward to seeing what else they come up with in the future.