D'Arche 5-year-old Blended Malt / 43%/ 0.7l

D'Arche Blended Malt is a rather unusual offering from renowned Sauternes producer Château d'Arche. (Château d'Arche is based in the village of Sauternes and has around 40 hectares of vineyards – 90% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle.)

The d'Arche Blended Malt presented here is a blend of single malt whiskies from two undisclosed Scottish distilleries, aged in American oak barrels for five years and finished for six months in Grand Cru d'Arche Sauternes casks. D'Arche Blended Malt is bottled at 43% abv and presented in an elegant amphora-like bottle. The whisky was officially launched in 2017 in Bordeaux during the Vinexpo exhibition.

Aroma : discreet and elegant, apricots, quince jam, tangerines, honey-roasted almonds, marzipan, notes of nutmeg and candied ginger.

Taste : fruity, juicy grapes, apricots, nectarines, candied orange peel, dried mango, vanilla, honey, toffee, walnuts and allspice.

Finish : medium long, with notes of apricot, orange, vanilla, honey, mixed nuts and a touch of sweet spices.