Guillon Cuvée 46

Guillon Cuvée 46, NAS, 40 %

This is a brand new distillery to me, the French company Distillerie Guillon. The distillery has been producing whisky since 1997, and is located in Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park in Champagne. In their whisky production they use local barley from the Champagne area. Most (if not all) their whisky is matured in oak barrels from French vineyards in the AOC regions of Champagne, Banyuls and Sauternes.

The Guillon Cuvée 46 was matured in wine casks that previously held white Burgundy wines, before receiving a finish for a few monyths in casks that held wine from Maury (Domaine des Vents). The result is a Single Malt de la Montagne de Reims.

You can pick up a bottle of the Guillon Cuvée 46 online at around € 42,50.

Nose: Very fruity and malty. Feels youngish, but with good cohesion. Slight alcohol sting, but no off-notes. It is a bit "dirty" and earthy (and I like that), to me obvious influence from the wine casks.Lots of apples, fresh, green, red, ripe, apples, apples, apples. There's also hints of citrus (lemon zest), and - odldy enough - hints of mature cheese (again, it is good, not a bad note at all, just surprising).

Taste: Light body and slightly oily mouthfeel. Light fruitiness - again apples. Caramel flavoured water.

Finish: Medium to short finish. Drying towards the end. Mild spices, oak and caramel.

Comments: Unremarkable, but very interesting to have tried it. Maybe try a higher ABV, allow more of the character of the whisky to come through.

Score (73/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas