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The range "CELTIC WHISKY"®
Celtique Connexion
Double Maturation Single Malts whiskies finished in Brittany
Several different expressions of these Single Malt Whiskies, distilled and aged in Scotland, then finished in carefully selected first fill casks, by Celtic Whisky Compagnie in its own warehouse in Brittany, are currently offered.
For the record, it may be worth noting that it was Celtic Whisky Compagnie who pioneered the use of Sauternes casks : this practice has since been taken over by several Scottish distilleries of particularily high reputation. It has also been rewarded by the Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2002 and 2003 and by the Gold Medal in 2004 and 2005.
For their finishing, the Celtique Connexion benefit from conditions which are exceptional. The warehouse, situated by the seaside on the Northern coast of Brittany, combines the advantages of a maritime environment, characterised by a high average humidity rate and of an ideal oceanic climate : the temperatures which are always mild, never cold and never excessively high, favouring a maturation of high quality.
Celtique Connexion 1990, origin Speyside, finished in a Sauternes cask
   
This Celtique Connexion, finished in a Sauternes cask, has been awarded the Gold Medal by the tasting panel at the "Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2004".
Distilled in the Speyside, this Double Maturation Single Malt has been initially matured in Scotland in the traditional manner which relies on the use of cask of Bourbon wood origin.
Being effected in Brittany with a carefully selected first fill cask having previously contained a great wine of Sauternes, the finishing reinforces the character and the complexity of the whisky, at the same time that it enhances its mellowness and its balance.
Before bottling, the reduction to drinking strength at 43% has been effected with spring water of particular softness and purity, originating from the "Monts d'Arrée" situated in the heart of Brittany.
Contrarily to the usual practice, this whisky has been subject neither to colouring nor to chill filtering. Its natural colour and tasting character are the mere reflection of an authentic product which has preserved the entirety of its aromatic components.
This Celtique Connexion has been distilled on 16 May 1990 and bottled on 28 June 2003.
It was drawn from a single cask having delivered 235 bottles, each one being hand numbered.
Tasting notes :
Colour : full gold.
Nose is sweet and tender exhaling with great sweetness a symphony of aromas, in particular white peach, crystallised lemon, pineapple and sweet almond. A wide variety of nuances are revealed in a sumptuous harmony.
Palate is oily and mellow, starting with sugared and malty notes and offering a nice balance between nose and palate. Much delicacy.
Finish is sweet and slightly drier than palate, terminating in pleasant spicy and roasted notes.
A whisky of great distinction with a refined sweetness, offering superb balance between the character of the malt whisky and the contribution of the Sauternes cask.
Celtique Connexion 1989, origin Speyside, finished in an Armagnac cask
Also from Speyside origin, this Single Malt has been finished along the same process and with the same care as has been the case for the Celtique Connexion 1989 finished in a Sauternes cask, but here in a carefully selected first fill Armagnac cask.
This Celtique Connexion has been distilled on 18 October 1989 and bottled at 43% on 10 November 2002.
It was drawn from a single cask having delivered 361 bottles, each one being hand numbered.
Tasting notes :
Colour : soft and sunny gold.
Nose is floral and fruity, marked by aromas of dry grape and exotic fruits. Much delicacy and lightness.
Palate is characterised by a very nice balance and great subtlety. The fruitiness is to be found again, in which some lightly spicy notes mingle in a very harmonious manner.
Finish of medium length is marked by its freshness and its delicacy which come out until the end.
A whisky of great distinction delivering complex and delicate aromas.
Celtique Connexion 1990, origin Speyside
finished in a Vin de Paille du Jura cask
Also from Speyside origin, this Single Malt has been finished along the same process and with the same care as has been the case for the Celtique Connexion 1989 finished in a Sauternes cask, but here in a very rare and carefully selected first fill cask of Vin de Paille du Jura (Straw Wine from the Jura mountains).
This Celtique Connexion has been distilled on 16 February 1990 and bottled at 43% on 11 November 2002.
It was drawn from a single cask having delivered 383 bottles, each one being hand numbered.
Tasting notes :
Colour : striking deep orange.
The nose is characterised by its richness in fruit aromas : dry fruits with in particular apricot, pineapple, quince, then leaning towards pastrycook notes.
Palate at first is mellow and sweet with acidulous notes. Fruits are then to be found again to which get mixed some spices, ginger in particular. Body is very oily and unctuous.
Finish is long, warm and spicy progressively getting slightly dry with some walnut notes.
A whisky characterised by the unusual intensity and complexity of its aromas and savours, which mingle with great smoothness and harmony.
Celtique Connexion 1990, origin Speyside, finished in a Banyuls cask
Also from Speyside origin, this Single Malt has been finished along the same process and with the same care as has been the case for the Celtique Connexion 1989 finished in a Sauternes cask, but here in carefully selected first fill cask of Banyuls fortified wine.
This Celtique Connexion has been distilled on 16 February 1990 and bottled at 43% on 11 November 2002.
It was drawn from a single cask having delivered 392 bottles, each one being hand numbered.
Tasting notes :
Colour : tawny with glowing red reflections
First nose is characterised by aromas evocating peach and abricot skin, then leading after a certain time to gingerbread notes.
Palate is characterised by a great velvety sweetness and by a character which is at the same time sugared and acidulous. The contribution of the Banyuls cask is well felt and accompanied by some woody notes.
Finish is slightly peperry with evocations of dry grapes soaked in rhum.
A whisky of great melowness in which the influence of the Banyuls cask comes to a full expression
Having been distilled in the Speyside at the Braes of Glenlivet distillery, this Single Malt has been finished along the same process and with the same care as has been the case for the Celtique Connexion 1989, also in a first fill Sauternes cask.
This Celtique Connexion has been distilled in April 1985 and was bottled in July 2001. It was drawn from a single cask which delivered 301 bottles, each one being hand numbered, bottled at the strength of 50% and presented in a wooden box decorated with branded marking.
Tasting notes :
The nose is delicately spicy and floral, with a creamy hint of tofee. Sauternes influence comes through on the taste but not sufficiently overpowering as to subdue the very light hints of smoke and peat normally to be found in this Malt, as well as some delicate notes of orange blossoms and of honey.
In spite of its bottling strength at 50% which contributes to the intensity of its aromas, it remains surprisingly easy to drink as its is, offering a mellow character in palate.
Medium to sweet aftertaste with a finish which lasts for ever.
Designation of origin :
In spite of their initial distillation and ageing, Celtique Connexion could not be considered as Scotch Whisky and are neither presented or sold as such. Our opinion is that they should neither be assimilated to Breton Whisky. In any case, they are whiskies of character and origin being 100% Celtic. They are officially marketed as "Product of France".
The other whiskies of the range "Celtic Whisky"®
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