Domaine des Hautes Glaces – Episteme R18P23 Yellow Square Malted Rye Whisky

This is a French malted rye whisky from Domaine des Hautes Glaces, made entirely from the local Caroasse variety of rye. For Episteme R18P23 Yellow Square, the grain was grown in a six-hectare plot cultivated by Christian Correard, at the foot of the Mont-Aiguille cliffs. The mash was fermented for 140 hours with natural sourdough, then double distilled in a wood-fired 25-hectolitre pot still. It was matured first in Cognac casks and then in 112-litre feuillette casks. The nose is direct and fluid, with rye fields and a sober, solid structure. The palate is smooth and smoky, with the pure taste of the grain. The finish is delicate, light and intense at once.