Singlar 8 Year Old French Blended Whisky (2023) (70cl, 43%)

A French blended whisky in a 70cl bottle, made by taking 8 year old whiskies from Scottish distilleries and resting them in French oak barrels that previously held vin cuit, the 'cooked wine' of Provence. The wine comes from Château de St Martin, where it is prepared over a wood fire in a large copper cauldron. The blend spends three to six months in those barrels before being reduced to 43% ABV. The cap is shaped as a boar, 'singlar' in Provençal, as a tribute to the animal sculptor Patrick de Barry. The palate is sweet and velvety, with a rich, quince-like fruitiness. The finish is refined and persistent, with a light smoky touch.