Armorik Men Ruz

 

 

 

43°

Distillery : Warengehm - France 

Bourbon, STR, Oloroso Sherry and Virgin Breton Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range

Single Malt 

Launched in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

This is the latest release to hit the small world of French whisky this autumn. This newcomer has undergone a complex maturation process, involving four different types of cask, predominantly Bourbon and new oak casks. It is reportedly ‘approximately’ five years old, at least that’s what the Brand Ambassador said. The alcohol content is a little low, but it remains unchillfiltered, which I welcome. Men Ruz means ‘Red Stone’ in Breton, a tribute to the Côte de Granit Rose, found in this part of Brittany, near Lannion, where the distillery is located. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A nose full of honey, the influence of the new oak barrels is very well controlled, there are notes of caramel, sponge cake and brioche, but no bitterness whatsoever. Churned butter, juicy yellow fruits, mashed bananas, rum baba, a few coastal nuances, iodine, limestone, quartz. A fresh, maritime character. The palate is, unfortunately, light, but smooth and well-balanced, vanilla, royal jelly, egg custard, solid untreated wood, cherry or pine, crème brûlée, spices that aren’t too disturbing. The finish isn’t very long and is rather astringent,  charcoal, liquorice, splinters, soft bark, lichen, cloves. Mushroom cream. 

 

In Short, 

The nose is really pleasant, you can really savour it, but then it gets a bit more complicated, on the palate it’s fine but a bit too light, and the finish is a little harsh. That said, it’s an entry-level whisky that’ll be sold at a low price, so it would be silly to expect miracles from it. Given the price it’s on sale for, I think it’s not bad at all, in fact, quite nice. 

Score : 84 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                   Stéphane Giacalone - Le Sentier des orages

Yeun Elez 2021 Single Cask Anthologiezh 5 yo

 

 

 

57,8°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

STR Wine Cask

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 50 ppm

 

 

 

The Yeun Elez range comprises peated whiskies produced in Warenghem. They are very often released as Single Cask and Cask Strength expressions, and are made with peated barley at 50 ppm. This one is the most recent addition to the range, it is five years old and has been matured in an STR Wine Cask. STR stands for ‘scraped, toasted and re-charred’, meaning the cask has been reworked to rejuvenate it and charred to the maximum. 280 bottles were produced from it. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A thick, suffocating and rather dry smoke, where a few winy reflections, dried fruit and wild berries, emerge. The smoke is steeped in soot, charcoal and dust, with mineral notes of granite, quartz, basalt. The fruit gradually comes to the fore: peaches, apricots, white grapes. Dried herbs. On the palate, it is quite full-bodied, blackberry jam, lemon zests, pears, not too strong spices, cloves, dark chocolate. A long, almost explosive finish, charcoal, spongy peat, caramel and liquorice. Mandarin peel. It is slightly medicinal, even earthy.

 

In Short, 

I’m not exactly thrilled. The smoke overpowers most of the distillate and that’s practically all you can feel. It’s particularly dry on the nose, reminiscent of terracotta, I only detected medicinal or coastal notes on the finish, and even then, there were very few. It’s still powerful and full of character, but it’s a far cry from Islay’s masterpieces. Only the finish struck me as pleasant, it saves the whole thing a little. At that price, frankly, I’d suggest looking elsewhere instead. 

Score : 86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                      Sleep - The Morrisist

Ben Nevis 2012 The Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks 10 yo

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Ben Nevis - Highlands

5 Oloroso Sherry Hogsheads 

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2022

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Heavily Peated

 

 

 

I still have quite a few bottles from Elixir Distillers’ now-defunct Reserve Casks range, including some Ben Nevis whiskies. This one is 10 years old, it’s a blend of five Oloroso sherry hogsheads, and the distillate is peated. I’ve labelled it ‘Heavily Peated’, as that’s the traditional description for Ben Nevis, but the peat level doesn’t exceed 30 ppm. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Slightly woody smoke, ground nutmeg, dark chocolate, flambéed caramel, cooked mushrooms and chestnuts, moss and lichen, fig jam. Lovely creaminess of prunes, dried bananas, and a dash of vanilla. Freshly ploughed earth, petrichor. Fir honey. Hints of minerality. Velvety on the palate, dates, raisins, smoky bark, black tea, fresh apples, very subtle spices, candied lemon. A somewhat harsh but long finish, dark tobacco, pralines, barely bitter wood, dried herbs, cola nuts, coffee grounds. 

 

In Short, 

This is the classic profile of sherry-matured Ben Nevis whiskies, forestry, earthy, yet with a variety of fruit notes. However, in this case, I found a few minor flaws, the wood is a little too prominent, particularly on the finish, and it feels a bit light on the palate. It’s still a good whisky, the nose is complex, and the rest is pleasant. It has personality and character, and the price is reasonable. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Lebanon Hanover - The Last Thing 

Armorik 10 yo Signature 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry and Virgin Breton oak Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

As early as 2015, 10-year-old whiskies were included amongst the Warenghem distillery’s releases, but these were very limited-edition single cask bottlings. The 10-year-old, as we know it today, first appeared in 2018 to celebrate 20 years of whisky production at the distillery (which had previously made other spirits). But this month, a new 10-year-old is on the horizon, the packaging has changed, as have the recipe, the price and even the name. The aim is to compete with Scottish 10-year-olds, both in terms of price and quality, which is a bold move. The price has therefore dropped by 15 per cent, I applaud this commendable effort. However, if I’ve understood correctly, this is still a limited edition, with batches of 5,000 bottles. To be confirmed later. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

A rich and balanced nose, with lovely fruitiness from the sherry, plums, even prunes, chocolate cake, juicy pears, candied cherries, white grapes and conifer honey, whilst the bourbon lends a certain stability, creamy vanilla, cereal biscuits, the new oak casks contribute an elegant, rustic woodiness rich in caramel. On the palate, it is somewhat light but pleasant, the fruit is integrated into an oily texture, particularly green apple, good length on the palate, well-controlled spices. Roasted hazelnuts. Fairly long finish, though slightly astringent, dark tobacco, earth and ferns, the wood becomes more pronounced, even rough, modelling clay, cashew nuts and a pinch of salt. 

In Short, 

To be honest, it’s not far off the quality of some 10-year-old Scotch whiskies, but it’s not quite there yet. The nose is actually quite good, but it lacks a bit of character, the palate is pleasant, but still a little light, the finish is quite long, but still a bit harsh. I know just how difficult it has been to produce a 10-year-old in France, and I congratulate this distillery on that. But to compete with Scottish 10-year-olds is perhaps a bit ambitious at the moment. Certainly, the price is attractive and the quality is undeniable, but they’ll need to make a bit more of an effort. 

Score : 85  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                                      Catherine Ringer - Intermitent Lover

Armorik 15 yo Édition Limitée 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Warenghem - France 

Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 10 ppm

 

 

 

The distillery’s first 15-year-old was released in 2021, but this was a special bottling for The Nectar, the renowned Belgian independent distributor and bottler. From 2022 onwards, a new batch of 15-year-olds has been flooding the markets every year. These batches consist of 1,500 bottles. This new batch is no different, except that the bottle’s packaging has been completely redesigned. As the whisky was distilled in 2011 and earlier, it is still slightly peaty, because it was precisely in 2011 that the distillery decided to stop using peated barley in the production of Armorik. Peat will now be reserved for another of the distillery’s brands: Yeun Elez.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

An enticing nose, with hints of honey and custard, Reine-Claude plum jam, whole almonds, soft bananas, and a whisper of peat to round it all off. Woody caramel, chocolate fondant, dried figs, apricot, nutmeg and cinnamon. Crushed walnuts, a touch of lemon zest. On the palate, it remains pleasant, with a dash of vanilla accompanying orchard fruits, red apples, Comice pears, a few herbaceous notes, dandelion, and well-balanced spices. The finish is quite long, chocolatey and earthy, slightly astringent, damp bark, dates, cooked onions, hazelnuts and a few wisps of tobacco. 

 

In Short, 

This is the distillery’s flagship expression. Right from the nose, you can tell it’s in a different league to the younger products, and this is borne out on the palate and in the finish. It’s very well crafted, well-balanced, and the price is almost reasonable. I’m almost tempted to recommend buying it, but the value for money is still a little lacking. 

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Les Rita Mitsouko - Marcia Baila

Armorik 2007 Édition Rare 18 yo

 

 

 

48,7°

Distillery : Warenghem - France

Oloroso Sherry and Sauternes Wine Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 10 ppm

 

 

 

Armorik released its first 18-year-old whisky last year, in September 2025. This one is a new batch, with a recipe that appears to be the same, but with new packaging and a new name: Édition Rare. It is a limited edition of 300 bottles, with approximately 70% aged in Oloroso sherry casks and 30% in Sauternes wine casks. The Sauternes casks are the youngest, but it is stated that the sherry casks are at least 20 years old. There is another version, a cask-strength release from the same blending, limited to 150 bottles, which I haven’t been able to taste. That makes a total of 450 bottles, no more than three casks in my humble opinion. This new expression has only just been released, and unfortunately I don’t have a good photo of it.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Very pronounced, deep and intense sherry notes, strawberry coulis, raspberry purée, candied redcurrants, tanned leather, walnuts and chocolate fondant. There is a very subtle hint of sulphur, but it is well integrated, along with very light peat and forest aromas, ferns and acorns, even earthy notes. A pinch of nutmeg. On the palate, the fruit is smoother but still distinctly red, blueberry tart, jams, almonds and honey. A very long finish, though not particularly powerful, with pepper and dark tobacco, cooked mushrooms, hot chestnuts, cola and heather. Meat gravy. 

 

In Short, 

A lovely whisky, but heavily influenced by sherry, which detracts slightly from its originality. The nose is deep and complex, and the finish is very long, only the palate falls slightly short, though it remains pleasant nonetheless. It is a very respectable whisky, but where it lacks competitiveness is undoubtedly in terms of price, which I find high. 

Score : 88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       To Be Listened While Sipping : 

                                                      Minuit - Sur les Berges

Lochlea Orchard & Oak

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Lochlea - Lowlands

1st Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Virgin American Oak and Ex-Calvados Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt

Launched in 2025

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

In 2025, the distillery launched a new range called Single Estate, and Orchard & Oak is one of the three expressions in this range. It’s part of the Core Range, so it’s set to be around for quite some time. That said, the range is called Single Estate because they claim that everything is done on-site. Indeed, the barley is grown in their fields, bottling is carried out on site, and fermentation, distillation and maturation all take place on site, which is excellent. Except that the malting isn’t done on site, which means it isn’t a true Single Farm Estate. And don’t confuse Single Farm Estate with Single Cask. Just because it’s a ‘Single Farm Estate’ (which isn’t the case here) doesn’t mean it’s a ‘Single Cask’. A ‘Single Farm Estate’ can be the result of blending several casks. All these considerations aside, it’s always interesting to taste this sort of thing, it inevitably has a strong identity. 

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

You immediately recognise the finesse and sweetness of the Calvados, with notes of fresh green apple and syrup or treacle, followed by woody vanilla and honeyed caramel. Slightly more discreet cereal and herbaceous notes, though clearly present, reeds, tall grasses and freshly cut hay. Juicy pears and Chasselas grapes. It’s also floral. Porridge. On the palate, it’s somewhat light, vanilla, honey, elderflower, but there are a few spices too, the apples are cooked in butter. Nutmeg and cinnamon. The finish is more than decent, and even pleasant, with a generous zest of lemon, still full of orchard fruits, a mint leaf, minced almonds, a pinch of salt and earth. 

 

In Short, 

The Calvados casks add a little something extra in terms of flavour, and also in terms of viscosity, it’s a bit oilier. This complements the distillery’s profile very well, enhancing its rustic, countryside character. Whilst remaining elegant. For me, it’s a success, and the price isn’t that high. Perhaps it’s worth buying. It would be better if the age were stated, though. 

Score : 85 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                     To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                             Melusina - L'Ultimo Sguardo

Kilkerran 16 yo 2026

 

 

 

46°

Distillery : Glengyle - Campbeltown

100% Oloroso Sherry Casks

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2026

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated from 12 to 15 ppm 

 

 

 

After a few years, I’m back to taste the Kilkerran 16-year-old, of which a new batch has been released every year since 2020. This is therefore the 7th batch, and it is the first to be matured entirely in Oloroso sherry casks. All the other releases were dominated by bourbon, although it is true that the previous one, from 2025, already had a significant amount of sherry. So this is something new, and it’s interesting. However, we do not know how many bottles were produced.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The sherry is initially intense and sulphurous, but gradually rounds out as it breathes. A light woody smokiness, toasted bark, roasted peanuts. Raisins, figs, a variety of red berries, particularly redcurrants and blueberries, and prunes. Quite spicy on the palate, bread cake, candied chestnuts, dried bananas, candied Reine-Claude plums, nutmeg and cloves. Thick caramel, spruce honey, a touch of charcoal. A long finish, quite powerful but not overly so, coffee and dark tobacco, dark chocolate, brownie sprinkled with walnuts. Cooked mushrooms, ferns.

 

In Short, 

Perhaps the bottle had only just been opened, which is why the sherry was a bit too strong for my taste. But after a few weeks or months once it’s been opened, I suppose it’ll be better. Overall, I thought it was good, but it suffers from the same flaw as other Kilkerran 16-year-olds I’ve tasted: a lack of character that isn’t made up for by subtlety. In a nutshell, it’s too old to be powerful, but not yet old enough to be very complex. The sherry adds a touch of originality, but it doesn’t change the essence of the whisky. Consequently, it’s a good bottling, but nothing exceptional, and I’m not sure I’d recommend buying it. Others have enjoyed it more than I have, we’ll have to see how it develops after a few weeks of being open. 

Score : 88 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                              Sun Vessel - Sacred Nobility