Myken French Relation
Myken French Relation, 6 YO, 47%
Initially matured for six years in ex-cognac casks from Bache-Gabrielsen, then finished for 11 months in virgin Norwegian oak (now there’s a first!). This release is limited to 1700 bottles (50 cl).
This is how distillery manager Roar Larsen describes the product:
“French Relation is a whisky we made in collaboration with the cognac house Bache-Gabrielsen, who provided us with the best 350 liter cognac barrels, and also took some of the filled cognac barrels back to France with our whisky in them. The whisky that was stored and matured at Myken was aged for 6 years in these cognac barrels, and then a further 11 months in Norwegian oak barrels, for extra wood character and not least to pick up some of the exciting spices that the Norwegian oak contributed. French Relation has a good balance between sweet notes such as grapes and pear, as well as nutmeg and other warm spices.”
Here is a breakdown of the casks used in Myken French Relation:
cask 1: 350 litre Bache-Gabrielsen 1st fill ex-cognac cask (#18/013)
cask 2: 350 litre Bache-Gabrielsen 1st fill ex-cognac cask (#18/016)
cask 3-5: 100 litre 2nd fill Norwegian oak cask (#24/076 - 24/078)
cask 6-11: 50 litre 2nd fill Norwegian oak cask (#24/079, 24/081 - 24/085)
The vatting received a marrying period of three weeks in a steel tank.
The Myken French Relation is available to buy in Norway at NOK 830 (19331402).
Nose: Soft and inviting with a prominent wave of caramel leading the charge. Underneath, a deep malty richness emerges alongside notes of cinnamon and pencil shavings. As it evolves, bright citrus peeks through, followed by gentle and fluffy notes of vanilla.
Taste: Medium to full bodied. Lusciously sweet, though balanced. Caramel and fudge form the core, layered with subtle hints of grape juice and almond milk. The texture is smooth and creamy.
Finish: Medium long. The sweetness lingers as caramel softens into earthy vanilla. A faint edge of white pepper and a whisper of oak round things off with finesse.
Comment: Comforting and well-structured.
Score 88/100
This is Nordic whisky review #448 here on Whisky Saga. See them all here.
Sláinte!
-Thomas
