Launched in 2012 by Allison Parc, collaborating with a French distiller in Cognac, Brenne French Single Malt Whisky is something quite special indeed. It's made with malted barley grown in Cognac, double distilled, then initially matured in Limousin oak casks before enjoying a finishing period in Cognac casks. Each bottle is drawn from a single cask and is bottled at 40% ABV. Rather cool stuff indeed.
Vanilla flowers arrive on the nose first, paired with pear drops and dried mango.
Brandied cherry and red rope liquorice. More vanilla, a hint of cinnamon spiciness and Nutella.
Chocolate raisins, pineapple and coconut ice.
“Nose : rounded, sugary and incredibly fruity. The nose is elegant and sweet and presents incredible notes of banana, bubblegum, candied apples, vanilla cupcakes, cinnamon & all things pastries. It gives a feeling like a French-style bakery here, immerged in a world of sweet aromas and struggling you have to decide whether you should go for candies or croissants. Brenne gives you both! Palate: surprising, a unique light and creamy nectar still showing those sugary notes from the nose. Aromas of crème brûlée, toffee, tropical fruits, malted barley reflect the Cognac influence and create a refined & gourmet whisky, perfectly enjoyable neat, approachable for novices but also utterly interesting to sample for whisky enthusiasts & experts alike. Finish: sweet and lingering with chocolate & caramel notes – the kind of “I NEED SOME MORE” finish”
Master of Malt Customer
This is nothing like a Scotch malt. Full of coconut and vanilla and LOTS of pineapple. Indeed, you would struggle to label it a whisky. It is VERY floral and VERY fruity. And nothing like any spirit I have ever sampled. But I confess, I very much liked it! So very different! I had just tasted the the 30ml sample. I am seriously tempted to buy a full bottle. Might need to buy another sample to decide! VERY different! Very much worth try.
The French can't do whisky, can they? Well ... it's like no other whisky I've ever drunk, and that is its charm. It is to floral notes what Laphroaig is to peaty ones - intense. After my first taste I ordered a bottle immediately and have enjoyed watching friends' reactions. Highly recommended!
Not like scotch at all but so fabulous and unique.Dangerously more ish. I absolutely love it.
Got a sample of this in the whisky calendar and was our clear (surprise) favourite, the one of the 24 we wanted to try again! Nope, it’s not Scotch but it’s a light, fruity, Calvados-like dram that’s still packs a punch. Won’t be the first bottle we buy, even if it’s on the expensive side.
Just taste like a jager bomb to me and that I can tell you is not a drink I wish to revisit. Not for me this.
