D'Arche Blended Malt Finished in Sauternes Casks / 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 about 40 hectares of vineyards—90% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle.) The d'Arche Blended Malt on display here is a blend of single malts from two undisclosed Scottish distilleries in the southern Highlands, aged in American oak barrels and finished for several months in Grand Cru d'Arche Sauternes casks. Bottled at 43% abv, the d'Arche Blended Malt is presented in an elegant amphora-like bottle. It was first released in Bordeaux at Vinexpo in 2017.

Nose : mild, apricots, gooseberries, orange peel, sugar-roasted almonds, marzipan, a touch of candied ginger and traces of potpourri.

Palate: vanilla, honey, sultanas, apricots, candied orange and lemon peel, milk fudge, walnuts and a bit of allspice.

Finish : medium long, with notes of vanilla, toffee, dried apricots, cherries, nuts and a pinch of cinnamon.