Domaine des Hautes Glaces – XO° 10 Year Old (70cl, 48%)

This is a 10 year old whisky from Domaine des Hautes Glaces, made in the Trièves at the foot of the Alps from organically farmed barley and rye grown on the estate's own land. The spirit was aged for ten years in casks that previously held cognac, armagnac and vin jaune, followed by a time in an amphora. It was bottled in 2021 at 48% ABV, in a 70cl bottle, as an outturn of 352 bottles. The nose brings nuts, cocoa butter and orange zest with floral and spicy notes. The palate is silky, with frangipane, curry and orange, plus a peppery, aniseed touch from the rye. The finish is rich and lingering, with powdery notes and the nuttiness of vin jaune.