Armorik 8 Year (2014), Version Française
A quick note before anything else. This week, my three French single malt reviews were done with industry samples provided free of charge and without any pesky strings attached. As ever, I am unsure if that led me to grade harder or easier, but I prefer ant entanglements to be upfront. For more, check out the ethics statement we use on Maltrunners.com.
Whisky: Armorik 8 Year (2014), Version Française
Country/Region: France
ABV: 50%
Cask: Refill Oloroso Sherry Cask 3609
Age: 8 Years (Distilled 2014, Bottled 2022)
Nose: Roasted pork on an autumn evening; meaty and slightly sweet caramelized pork, dried vegetation— fallen leaves, hay, dry earth/petrichor, autumn chimney smoke, dried leaves and musty foliage, hints of farm in the background.
Palate: Medium-bodied, burning fall vegetation, slightly medicinal herbs, roasted pork and burnt ends further in the background, slightly acrid tobacco and ash with hints of earthy musty unimproved basement, fallen leaves and dried vegetation, petrichor and chimney smoke, more acrid and slightly bitter toward the end as the tobacco came to the fore.
Finish: Very long with tobacco ash, earth, and slowly, over time, more orange and hints of citrus oil.
Score: 7
Mental Image: Lost Among the Leaves
Narrative & Notes: Armorik is one of France's oldest malt distilleries, having opened its doors in 1983, which was undoubtedly an interesting time to start distilling, considering the substantial headwinds the Scotch whisky industry faced at the time. You may notice that the bottle carries no age statement; apparently, the laws in France favor the usage of vintages rather than ages— something you may be more used to in the brandy industry. The various malt whisky producers in the county, and there are several dozen now, have been pushing for reform on that front so their labeling can better conform with consumer expectations for whisky.
I heard from a trusted friend that Armorik was legit— that their malts were characterful and excellent— they were not kidding. This LM&V release knocked my socks partway off with its beautiful Autumnal vibes. The presentation of earth and herbs with rich smoke in the background was fantastic. I love whiskies that remind me of Autumn, and this had it in spades, from petrichor to musty, dank wet leaves, chimney smoke, roasted pork, and dried vegetation. I do not miss raking leaves, but sometimes I miss the sweet autumn air.
If I had tried this blind, I am reasonably confident I would have guessed it to be a Benromach or Glenturret, whose peaty distillate can take on a similar Autumn profile with tobacco and hints of something farmy or funky. I find their occasional earthy qualities can set them apart from lighter citrus or fruit-forward whiskies. No surprise that my wife also loved this whisky and thought it was right up her alley— she even asked to finish what I had left! Truly a sign she found something she loves.
Overall, a delicious combination of meat, earth, smoke, and everything I love about the Fall. I will keep an eye out to try more Armorik again soon.
