Brenne Estate Cask French Single Malt Whisky
Brenne Estate Cask French Single Malt Whisky is an 80-proof (40% ABV), 750mL single malt distilled and aged entirely in Cognac, France, from 100% organic heirloom estate-grown barley. It is the world's first single malt aged exclusively in new French Limousin oak followed by ex-Cognac casks, bottled from individually selected single barrels with a minimum of 6 years of aging. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Aging: minimum 6 years in new French Limousin oak, finished in ex-Cognac casks
- Origin: distilled and bottled in Cognac, France, from the distillery's own estate barley
- Distillation: twice-distilled in traditional copper Charentais alembic stills (Cognac-style)
- Bottling: single-barrel — each bottle comes from one individually selected cask
A Single Malt Finished the Cognac Way
Founder Allison Parc set out to make whisky the way Cognac makes spirits: local barley, cool long fermentations, and Cognac-proprietary yeast, distilled in the same copper alembic stills used for fine Cognac. The new make then rests in new French Limousin oak before finishing in ex-Cognac casks — a maturation path no Scotch or Irish malt follows. The result is famously patisserie-like: crème brûlée, banana, tropical fruit, and warm baking spice, a profile that earned it Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and "Best French Single Malt" at the World Whiskies Awards. Collectors of international whisky consider it the definitive French expression of the category.
Tasting Notes
Expect a fruit-forward, almost confectionery pour: crème brûlée and ripe banana over tropical fruit, with cinnamon and clove from the Limousin oak. The palate is round and silky at 40% ABV — vanilla bean, poached pear, and toasted almond — finishing with Cognac-cask warmth, dried apricot, and a gentle oak-spice lift.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat in a tulip glass to catch the pastry-shop aromatics, or serve lightly chilled. At 80 proof it also works beautifully in a French-style highball with quality sparkling water and a lemon twist. Pair with almond financiers or crème brûlée.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brenne a Cognac?
No — it is a whisky (a single malt made from barley), but it is distilled in Cognac-style alembic stills and aged in ex-Cognac casks, which gives it its distinctive French character.
How old is Brenne Estate Cask?
The brand states a minimum of 6 years; as a single-barrel bottling, individual casks vary (sources cite 6–8 years).
Is each bottle from a single barrel?
Yes — every bottle of Estate Cask comes from one individually selected cask, so bottlings vary slightly cask to cask.
Explore more Brenne French single malts and our full international whisky collection. Single-barrel casks sell through — order Brenne Estate Cask online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.