Warenghem

Warenghem

History In the late 19th century, the distillery was founded by the Warenghem family in Lannion, on the pink granite coast. In 1967, Paul-Henri, the latest generation of Warenghems, joins forces with Yves Leizour. They diversify the range of historic liqueurs and focus development towards supermarkets in Brittany. In 1974, Paul-Henri Warenghem and Yves Leizour move the distillery from the town centre to the outskirts of Lannion, right by the Rest Avel spring which means “dwelling of the wind” in Breton. In the early 80s, Gilles Leizour, a trained pharmacist, succeeds his father. Eager to revive the distillery, he decides to focus the company’s activities on regional products, notably creating the Melmor chouchen. Always searching for improvements and stability for the distillery, and encouraged by Bernard Le Pallec, sales manager, Gilles Leizour decides to take a daring gamble: to launch the first 100% Breton – and French – whisky. After extensive trials, the WB Breton whisky, a blend made up of 25% malt whisky and 75% grain whisky, is successfully marketed in 1987. In 1993, fine-tuning his expertise, Gilles Leizour ordered construction of a distillery that is solely dedicated to whisky, equipped with a pair of copper stills inspired by the Scottish distilleries. Armorik, the first single malt from Brittany and France, is officially launched in 1998. This single malt quickly becomes the driving force of the distillery.

The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

  • armorik-5-year-old-that-boutiquey-whisky-company-whisky Armorik 5 Years Old Batch 2 (2021) - Very sweet on the nose but very balanced on the palate and eminently drinkable. Some sharp French oak tannins give a good edge or foil to the fruity Sauternes sweetness. 84/100
  • Armorik-classic Armorik Classic (2020) - Very well put together and promising, the ex-Bourbon oak is not too heavy an influence here and mostly describes their spirit character and coastal maturation. It becomes a touch abrasive later on the palate which hints at slightly younger maturation - I'm guessing some components may be under 8 years old perhaps. 77/100
  • Armorik-double-maturation Armorik Double Maturation (2020) - Great aromas and mouthfeel, the double-maturation gives good depth and texture and carries some of those darker and woodier sugary flavours topped by classic sherry finish elements. 80/100
  • Armorik Edition Originale Breton Whisky Armorik Edition Originale (2013) - Armorik Edition Originale (40%, OB, 2013) Breton single malt whisky from Distillerie Warenghem 40% ABV, €18.90 from E. Leclerc, St. Hilaire du Harcouët Score 68/100 What they say: Warenghem Distillery : the heart of […]
  • armorik-maitre-de-chai-2010-whisky Armorik Maitre de Chai 2010 (2020) - Blind tasting - Dark coloured but quite smooth and soft in flavours, I was misled by the Oloroso cask maturation effect on the colour here I think. Again having recently sampled through Armorik's core range and latest peated expression I had no idea how close this one was to them! 83/100
  • Armorik-sherry-cask Armorik Sherry Cask (2020) - Full of dried fruits and chocolate flavours and aromas from the Oloroso sherry cask maturation, still a little sharp and too spiced when unreduced for my palate in places. 79/100
  • Armorik Sherry Finish Breton Whisky Armorik Sherry Finish (2013) - Armorik Sherry Finish (40%, OB, 2013) 40% ABV, €26.50 from Carrefour Fougères Score: 78/100 What they say: At the end of their maturation, some casks of Armorik were transferred into casks which have contained sherry to spend a few months. The natural fruitiness of Armorik is thereby enhanced […]
  • Armorik-SC-8048 Armorik Single Cask 8048 (2017) - Armorik Single Cask 8048 (53%, La Maison Du Whisky, 2015) Whisky Review Category: Breton single malt whisky Origin: Distillerie Warenghem Bottling: La Maison Du Whisky ABV: 53% Cost: €95.00 What they say: Armorik […]
  • YuenElez Armorik Yuen Elez (2020) - Deliciously sweet and peaty, this has a rich malty sweetness accentuated by vanilla and all pervaded by a thick peat and dry heather brush smoke. Wonderful. 84/100
  • Galleg Whisky De Bretagne (2015) - Galleg Whisky De Bretagne ~ 42% (Distillerie Warenghem) Blended Breton whisky 42% ABV, €18.50 for 70cl Score: 80/100 What they say: Laissez-vous tenter par cet assemblage original : 50% de Whisky de […]