Armorik – 10 Year Old Dervenn (bottled 2022) (70cl, 46%)

Armorik 10 Year Old Dervenn is a French single malt from Brittany, bottled in 2022 at 46% in a 70cl bottle. The edition runs to 2,000 bottles worldwide. Dervenn means oak in Breton, and refers to ten years of maturation in new Breton oak casks. The malted barley comes from Brittany and is twice distilled in copper stills. The distillery has worked for 20 years with the French forestry service and with the cooper Jean-Baptiste Le Floc'h. The nose is powerful and complex, with honey, passion fruit, leather, caramel and cinnamon. The palate is honeyed, with liquorice and figs, its sweetness balanced by toasted notes. The finish is very long and spicy, with fruit and a smoky side.