An essential barometer of the French’s appetite for premium spirits, the latest edition of Whiskey Live Paris, last October, welcomed 21,000 visitors, a figure up 15% compared to last year. Having come to taste the productions of more than 200 distilleries, bottlers and brands, they were also able to discover some 350 new products! Which says a lot about the dynamism of a profession which has recently faced some headwinds, between inflation, general increases in raw materials and supply difficulties, particularly in glass bottles.
Expectedly, whiskey and rum remain the favorite alcohols of French spirits consumers. But, according to the Sowine study, the second has become their favorite (81% of them say they appreciate it, compared to 68% for the first); a trend which has been confirmed in recent times. Unsurprisingly, anise comes behind and, according to the Ipsos/La Maison du Whiskey barometer, vodka and gin continue to grow, like tequila, which is recording strong growth in terms of purchases (25% compared to 19% in 2022). ).
WHISKEY
1/ Caol Ila Distillers Selection (43%)
Coming from a collection dedicated to double maturation, this Islay single malt spent twelve years in oak barrels before finishing in Moscatel barrels. Spanish muscat softens the peat with its notes of dried fruit, but the iodized character remains. €71
WHISKEY2 Johnny Walker Blue Umami
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2/ Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami (43%)
This limited edition, the result of a collaboration between Emma Walker, the house’s master blender and the three-star chef Kei Kobayashi, goes in search of umami, this mysterious fifth taste which is revealed here thanks to a subtle balance between sweet and salty. €330
3/ Kilchoman 16 years old (50%)
Founded twenty years ago by Anthony Wills, the Islay farm distillery releases its oldest expression, a 16 year old aged for a long time in bourbon and oloroso sherry casks. A collector’s item. €259
WHISKEY4 Aberfeldy 25 years
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4/ Aberfeldy 25 years old (46%)
To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the Highlands distillery is launching a 25-year-old single malt finished in oloroso sherry casks. Extremely tasty and of rare delicacy with its fruity notes which blend into the cereal and the malt. €480
5/ Benriach The Forty (43.5%)
This pure treat is made from the rarest malts from the Speyside distillery, some aged in bourbon barrels, others in port. Only 752 bottles are available across the planet, barely twenty for the French market. To be enjoyed at the end of the meal, with meditation, gently, to appreciate the liveliness, the velvety softness of this irresistible quadra. €4,000
RUM
RHUM1 Trois Rivieres 12 years leather case
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1/ Trois Rivières 12 years (42%)
Made from a blend of eaux-de-vie aged in bourbon barrels, this powerful aged rum has astonishing smoothness and aromas of wood and candied fruit. Comes with a pretty leather box. €97.90
RHUM2 Rhum JM
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2/ JM Rum Lady Joan No. 2 (49.5%)
A blend of the finest vintages, from eight to twenty-two years old, from the cellars of the Fonds-Préville distillery, in Martinique, this aged rum is absolutely delicious with its morning pastry notes. aromas of vanilla and smoky spices. Out of time. €250
3/ Saint-James 12 years (43%)
An old rum, a fine example of Martinican classicism with its fine woody notes which evolve into aromas of cinnamon and prunes, proof of masterful aging. €67
4/ Planting Sealander (40%)
A unique blend of pure juice rum and molasses from Barbados, Fiji and Mauritius. The aromatic palette, dense and delicate at the same time, oscillates between notes of licorice, beeswax and vanilla. €45
COGNAC
Frapin 1990
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Frapin Vintage 1990 (41.8%)
A 100% Grande Champagne premier cru cognac that immediately seduces with its brilliant, slightly orange color. What follows is of the same ilk with touches of candied fruit and chiselled notes of rancio which precede a finish of exceptional length. A brandy of unique depth. €195
TEQUILA AND MEZCAL
Tequila Komos Reposado Rosé
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After resting for 21 days in Merlot barrels, this tequila joven ultra premium adopts a pretty natural pink color. Made from 7-year-old Weber blue agave, it is remarkably soft. In 1.75 l magnum to prolong the pleasure. €780
2/ Komos Anejo Cristalino (40%)
Aging in French oak barrels that have contained white wine gives a lovely roundness to this tequila with tangy touches that flatter the palate. The mineral finish once again sounds like a reminder to the wine world. €219
This mezcal joven artisanal, produced in the high Mexican mountains of San Juan del Rio, is distinguished by its slightly smoky notes, typical of the Espadin agave which was picked after 7 years of maturity for this version to discover €75
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