Armorik

In 1900, Léon Warenghem founded a spirits distillery in Lannion, Brittany, which only turned to whisky decades later: the first blend of malt and grain whisky appeared in 1987, but it wasn't until 1998 that Warenghem launched Armorik, the very first French single malt, onto the market. The name Armorik refers to Brittany's historic pre-Roman name. In 2015, the French state honoured the distinctiveness of this whisky tradition with the protected geographical indication "Whisky Breton" - comparable to Scotch whisky or Irish whiskey, only whisky meeting Breton criteria may carry this name since then. Armorik matures using water from the Rest Avel spring, located a hundred metres beneath the distillery, whose low-limestone water gives the whisky its distinctive character.

Why is the whisky called "Armorik"?

The name derives from Brittany's historic, pre-Roman name - a deliberate nod to the region's Celtic roots.

How long did it take from the distillery's founding to the first single malt?

Almost a century: Warenghem was founded in 1900, the first blend appeared in 1987, but it wasn't until 1998 that Armorik, the first standalone French single malt, reached the market.

Flavour profile

Taste: Fruity, full-bodied and slightly maritime, not unlike Scottish coastal malts.

Recommended enjoyment: Taste neat, to experience the maritime note in comparison with Scottish island whiskies.

Start with Armorik Classic.

Facts and figures

Warenghem distillery founded 1900 in Lannion. First French single malt (Armorik) since 1998. Protected geographical indication "Whisky Breton" since 2015. Water source: Rest Avel spring, 100 metres beneath the distillery.