Vicomte Cask Strength Single Malt Review

Producer: Vicomte/Venturi Brands. Distiller: undisclosed. Region:Poitou-Charentes, France. ABV: 67.8%. Age: nine years.

Vicomte Single Malt’s standard 8-year-old release was a very pleasant surprise for me last year. It’s made in France’s Cognac region from organic local barley, and aged in first-fill cognac barrels. It was among the best French malts I’ve tried–my only quibble was with the somewhat underpowered 40% ABV.

Problem solved. Vicomte’s new Cask Strength adds another year of age and dials the intensity up to a massive 67.8% ABV. Naturally, that gives you all the room in the world to dial in your ideal strength, or serves as a very potent cocktail base.

The whisky is distilled from all-organic French barley from Poitou-Charentes. It’s a dram full of overripe fruit, chocolate-covered cherries, and old-school candy shop sweets, though the oak and spice balance them well. The nose also has hints of peppermint candy, pound cake, and young leather. The palate has strong cherry notes–maraschino cherries, sour cherries in syrup, even Cherry coke–but with the sweetness well under control, even at full strength. The spice emerges through the medium-long finish.

Vicomte Cash Strength is currently in 22 states, with more to come. If you’re cognac-minded or looking to explore more Continental single malts, check it out.

Cheers, friends! – BO

A company representative graciously provided a sample for review. As always, our opinions are 100% our own.