New Vibrations
Gifts
NIKKA FROM THE BARREL
First released in 1985, Nikka From the Barrel is a meticulously prepared blend. Rich and intense, its iconic spicy (clove), fruity (plum, caramelized apple) and floral (lilac, honeysuckle) flavours and aromas lay the foundations for the timeless style reflected in the minimalist bottle. Following the success of the Nikka From the Barrel Silhouette released last year, this new edition showcases the pared down design in a gift set containing two Glencairn glasses and a pouring spout. This new eco-designed version features a 100% natural (70% sugar cane byproducts, 30% wood pulp) and 100% recyclable handle.
BLENDING EXPERIENCE
The New Vibrations Blending Experience gift set from La Maison du Whisky and blending expert Compass Box offers curious minds the chance to try their hand at the art of blending. Composed of two whiskies — the blended grain A-Side and blended malt B-Side also released in this year’s Creations catalogue (see pages 14 and 15) — this kit can be used to recreate one of the three recipes designed by James Saxon, Compass Box’s master blender, or to create your own original version. A creative experience to share!
UNE BRÈVE MAIS INTENSE HISTOIRE DU WHISKY FRANÇAIS
France, the land of wine, cognac, Armagnac and Calvados... and now whisky! Since the first forays into malt distillation carried out in the 1980s, whisky distilleries have spread through the country. From Brittany to Provence via Alsace and Corsica, dozens of producers have embarked on the adventure with passion, curiosity and pragmatism. Today, there are some hundred producers brewing, fermenting, distilling and maturing their whiskies on the French mainland. In this richly illustrated book, Matthieu Acar, a specialist with encyclopedic knowledge, takes us through this incredible tale of destiny. Lose yourself in the short but intense history of French whisky and discover the rich expertise of more than 80 producers dedicated to offering craft spirits that embody the essence of their terroirs.
About the author
Born in Paris in 1985, Matthieu Acar first discovered whisky through family friends and has developed his passion ever since through trips to Scotland, notably to explore the Highlands, Islay and Orkney. In 2013, he tasted a French whisky that impressed him so much he decided to travel France in search of whisky producers. Various professional experiences eventually led this seasoned spirits connoisseur to join La Maison du Whisky in 2016 and in 2017, he launched the website whiskyfrancais. com dedicated to promoting French whisky. In 2020, he played an active role in the launch of La Maison du Whisky’s Version Française range dedicated to France’s finest whiskies.
BARGE 166
Moored on the docks of the Seine in the Parisian suburb of Issy-les-Moulineaux, Maison Ferrand’s Barge 166 is the very first floating cellar entirely dedicated to the ageing of rum and cognac. This slightly bonkers project from the mind of company founder Alexandre Gabriel is designed to provide ageing conditions tailored specifically to the spirits it houses, matured in 30-litre casks of French oak: high humidity, wide temperature range, dynamic maturation due to the vessel’s rocking motion, etc.
More than a simple cellar, Barge 166 is an innovative showcase for Plantation rums and Ferrand cognacs, offering enthusiasts a unique purchasing experience. In practice, this pioneering concept gives buyers the ability to select – from a portfolio of terroirs and vintages – a 30-litre cask of rum or cognac which has already been aged according to Ferrand’s exacting process: the rums, in particular, undergo both tropical and continental ageing, the latter in the Cognac region. The selected cask is further aged for one or two years in the barge’s hold.
This process also gives the buyer the ability to select how intensely the cask is toasted, as well as the maturation time which can go from 6 to 24 months. Once this final ageing step is complete, the buyer takes delivery of around 55 customlabelled 50cl bottles (with total volume depending on the angel’s share of the cask).
La Maison du Whisky’s team was invited aboard Barge 166 in June of 2023 to select casks for this catalogue, and chose 6 vintages of rum from three terroirs – Barbados, Fiji and Jamaica – as well as a Grande Champagne cognac from 2014..
