Cocorico for our whisky distilleries in France
Whisky distillery
If I mention whisky, you probably think of Scotland, Ireland, and, in recent decades, Japan. The success of Japanese whisky has indeed made even the most purist malt enthusiasts aware that it is possible to produce good "scotch whisky" or "whiskey" outside of the British Isles. This opportunity has been seized by around fifty French entrepreneurs.
They have decided to embark on the production of 100% made-in-France whisky by creating their own distilleries in the Hexagon. The profiles of these creators are varied: individuals, farmers, brewers who use their own beer as a raw material, and distillers of other types of alcohol.
This is fortunate because the French are now the world’s leading consumers of whisky (source: Euromonitor). In an era where we discuss the importance of short supply chains, the development of a local market presents a real opportunity.
French-Made Whiskies
France has always held an important place in the world of spirits, primarily those derived from the distillation of fruits. This was perceived as more prestigious than production from grains. Unfortunately, by the time whisky's success was recognized, it was already too late… or almost! Yes, because nothing is irreversible. Since the early 1980s, France has been producing whisky. Here, we are not talking about malt bottled in France, which would not be a true French whisky, but rather a product made in France.
Since then, a whisky from Brittany and one from Alsace have obtained an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication).
The Advantages of French Malts
We are certainly at the beginning of the history of French whisky. However, three of the five largest malt producers in the world are French. With more and more distilleries and undeniable quality, here are some strengths of our whiskies, in all objectivity, of course!
The Raw Material: Barley
Whisky is primarily a cereal: barley. Its cultivation is abundant in France, providing enough for all French producers. For those who wish to adopt an eco-responsible approach, this is ideal!
Excellent mastery of manufacturing processes
Brewing is the first step in whisky production. With few differences, it resembles beer brewing. We have excellent brewers in the country, so we possess genuine expertise in this area. Next comes the distillation stage. Again, our expertise in this matter is well established.
France has been producing spirits for a long time. Not only do we have the capacity to produce a variety of high-quality stills, but we also possess in-depth knowledge of distillation. Thus, we have complete mastery of the entire manufacturing process.
High-quality oak casks
The key to the incomparable taste of whisky lies in its aging, which must last a minimum of 3 years, but not just in any conditions! It must take place in oak casks, ideally used for aging wine. With its significant wine production, France has plenty of such casks available. This is yet another strong argument in favor of eco-responsibility.
Then, it’s a matter of being patient before tasting, with moderation, of course!
As you can see, France has no reason to be ashamed of its production and the quality of its whiskies. Our distilleries have all the assets to produce pure malts or single malts worthy of the finest Scottish or Japanese distilleries. Quality whiskies, an eco-responsible approach, and undeniable advantages for the future!