Brenne Estate Cask Whisky, 70cl - 40% ABV French Single Malt Scotch Whisky - Organic Whisky Aged in Cognac Casks

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When she retired from ballet and turned her attention to her next career, she thought of whiskey. As someone who was interested in the effect of terroir (the effect of the location on the taste of a product) on wine, she wondered if anyone was taking the same approach with whiskey. Knowing how seriously the French took their appellations and the terroir effect, she headed there to learn more. It was here where she found a cognac distiller who shared some of the same ideas she did. And literally my second whisky of my life was a Yamazaki 18, and it completely changed my perception of what whiskey could be. Dewar’s, which was a blended scotch, as I know now, and this very high-end Japanese whisky. But I didn’t know if they were different because of terroir, right? Was there something that the Japanese were doing that was different from what the Scotch were doing in that? Were they using local and indigenous ingredients to show a sense of place in the taste? So originally I thought, “That’s really cool. I should bring some of these Japanese whiskies over into the U.S.”

The smell is mild and approachable. You immediately get vanilla, and tons of fruit. Banana bread, maraschino cherries, and raisins, followed by a distinct oaky-ness. Made in the French Cognac region, Brenne is not your everyday single malt. Most everything about it is local. The two types of heirloom barley are grown in the fields surrounding the distillery. A proprietary yeast strain is applied for fermentation. We aren’t trying to replicate a Scotch whisky, but rather offer something completely new to the world of single malt,” she said. “Our barrels are new French Limousin oak and also Cognac barrels, so you get this whisky that has an incredible bouquet of fruit, floral, and creamy notes. There’s a certain elegance that comes from a simple design. It’s something that modern French style uses to great effect, and I think the folks at Brenne have captured that aesthetic perfectly in this bottle. More sugary sweet tropical fruit fades out painfully slow with some sour, ashy, funky and woody notes.It is definitely a sweeter whisky, but that isn't a bad thing. I think a lot of the time people associate sweeter spirits, or even wine, with being lower quality, but that isn't really true.

TF: Yes! People think that’s enough. Right? If I say, “Well look at all the women now,” they think they’ve done all the work and [the progress] stops. But what happens when we want to start creating spaces that are more accessible? I want to be able to get people involved that have physical disabilities, mental disabilities … true inclusivity is so much broader than we have ever imagined. This industry has not imagined how inclusive we can be. Brenne French Single Malt Whisky is a wonderful addition to the ever expanding whisky region in France. The first expression of Brenne debuted in 2012 in New York City – with Parc distributing it on bicycle to stores and bars – and it sold out in two months. She’s been expanding ever since to hit every major market and select cities in the US. I want to continue making great French single malt whisky and bringing it to as many people as we can,” she said. “There is an incredible amount of work over many years that goes into creating just one bottle of Brenne, so when I have an opportunity to share a bottle of whisky with people, I always show up with gratitude, openness, and excitement to look each other in the eye and cheers to those special moments in life.” Parc: In the U.S., which is where you and I are currently based, our adoption to Japanese whisky really started in 2012. But if you look at the first countries outside of Japan that were getting excited about Japanese whisky, that was actually France, and they started writing about it and buying it up in the early 2000s. I’ve just always been a Francophile, and I was paying attention to that.

When reviewing whiskey, consider several key factors. The appearance looks at the color and clarity of the whiskey. The nose evaluates the aroma, identifying any notes of fruits, spices, or other scents. The taste examines the flavor profile, including the balance of sweetness and bitterness. The mouthfeel considers the texture and viscosity of the whiskey on the palate. The finish refers to the lingering taste and sensations after swallowing. Brenne Estate Cask Single Malt Most interestingly though, Brenne single malt is twice-distilled in an alembic Charente still, an interesting distilling apparatus that’s designed to process fermented grape juice instead a barley mash. French Limousin oak and ex-Cognac casks are then used for maturation.

Patel likens her use of terroir to that of the peat in scotch: originally used for fuel efficiency, the smokey substance is now an emblematic flavoring agent.So I went to Japan. I read everything about Japanese whisky and Japanese business culture and everything like that. Had some really incredible experiences over there. Had some incredible meetings. Realized it wasn’t necessarily my avenue. I just really wanted to have a whiskey that was using a 100% local ingredients. So not trying to make scotch in another country. I wanted to have a whiskey made, a single malt, particularly, made outside of Scotland that was using 100% local ingredients from wherever that was being made. With expressions like the Estate Cask and the limited-edition Ten Year, Brenne continues to impress with its distinctive flavor profiles and commitment to excellence. Experience the grace and flavor of Brenne French whiskey for yourself. Brenne French whiskey offers a unique and exciting experience for both whiskey beginners and connoisseurs. With its seed-to-spirit production approach and emphasis on terroir-driven profiles, Brenne showcases the quality, innovation, and sustainability that French whiskey has to offer. Founder Alison Parc's vision and determination have made Brenne a trailblazer in the industry, and its recent acquisition by Heaven Hill ensures a bright future for the brand. The nose lures you in with a compelling mingle of fruit-led aromas. Initially, you're greeted with a delightful scent of alpine strawberries and cream, coupled with a cheeky hint of candy floss. This playful start is softened by gentle waves of cinnamon spice, alongside drying notes of cut grass, adding an earthy balance. A final flourish of banana and tropical pineapple underscores the bouquet, wrapping up the nose profile with a sweet and exotic intrigue. The overall impression is a fusion of sweet, creamy, and earthy elements. Palate Even aside from its obviously different taste ( see our review), Brenne stands out from other craft whiskies aesthetically, too. The slim bottle and robin’s egg blue label are more indicative of a wine than a whisky, but Patel explains Brenne’s soft appearance as intentional.