It was quite surrealistic to taste Breton whiskies on Islay. But not irrealistic!
Through Glann ar Mor and Kornog, the two single malts distilled by Jean Donnay in Brittany, one could catch a glimpse of Gartbreck, the future ninth Islay distillery.
Glann ar Mor 46%
Pale gold
Light, grassy and floral. Meadowsweet flowers, freshly cut grass with a hint of brine. Then fruity citrussy notes. Freshly squeezed lemon. In the back a mineral touch.
Sweet at first then a crisp fizzy feel. Full citrus profile. Very fresh and lively.
A beautiful Springtime dram.
Kornog 46%
Ripe gold
Smoky and fruity. A soft phenolic profile with distant soot. Fruit comes through the smoke veil. Hint of tar & licorice. Citrus again. And the mineral touch.
Sweet and smooth. Then drying on smoke and marine notes. Salty feel. Peaches and pears poached in a ginger syrup.
Perfect balance between peated flavours and fruit. That dram takes you on the shore on a lovely summer day.
Kornog – Martine’s cask
(cask strength, around 57%) – 8 Year Old – Filled on 26th april 2006 in a first fill bourbon cas
Intense gold
Very fruity. Pear and some exotic fruit. Mango, fresh pineapple juice. Smoke in the back. Vanilla custard. Buttery as well.
Wonderful satin-like mouthfeel. The exotic fruit shines through with pear drop then a fizzy dryness wraps up some spices. Less smoky than the young Kornog.
The finish is lingering and soothing on fresh almond flavours.
A very intense, already rich and deep though still young dram. Enticing and moreish.