La Maison du Whisky – Artist #11 – Benriach Distillery – 24 Year Old (700 mL)

Distilled in 1997 – Bottled in 2021 – Cask #7342 – Cask type: Hogshead – Limited edition of 179 bottles – 700 ml – 63,5% – Cask Strength 63.5%

Benriach is a very traditional distillery, producing its own malt and drawing its own water from the Burnside spring which flows deep below the distillery. Located in the heart of Speyside, the Benriach distillery is considered one of the most innovative and experimental in Scotland. With a remarkable fruity and floral freshness, this version displays a flawless minerality. The aromas evolve naturally towards fresh green fields, marked in particular by citrus notes and invigorating medicinal flavours.

Profile: Dynamic and subtle.
Nose: Acacia, fresh plum, rice cake, black
pepper, candied grapefruit, cinnamon.
Palate: Citrus, pear, malted barley, vanilla, lavender, hyacinth, camphor.
Finish: Pear, apple, malted barley, raspberry, verbena, cut hay, rosemary.

La Maison du Whisky Artist Series

This new kid on the Independent Whisky Bottler block, but this is no ordinary kid. This is Artist#11, Single Malt Scotches bottled by La Maison du Whisky- one of the premier whisky and spirits stores in the world. The tasting and presentation was hosted at the hallowed premises of Brandy Library. Along with incredible Single Malts Scotches, there was a cornucopia of fine spirits carefully curated from the world over, including Single Malts from France, Armagnacs and Cognacs, Rums from the Caribbean and far flung Australia, and so much more. There was also an unicorn whisky table, showcasing some previous gems which included a 25 years old Clynelish, 24 years old Bushmills, a sublime Ben Nevis, a Canadian Rye whiskey among others.

The labels of the Artist range of whiskies reflect the synergy between whisky and art. Each bottle features graphic interpretation by a talented artist, each Artist collection is created during the first semester of each year. For this series, the artist is Catherine Ludeau.

So what does this look like- an amazing lineup of whiskies. All are bottled at Cask Strength, All are non-Chill filtered, all are bottled in their Natural Color in 700 ml bottles. The problem: there is just not enough to go around. Alas quantities are limited, the entire bottling of 5 cases yielded less than 900 bottles

MACALLAN 1993 – AGED 27 YEARS, 46.8% Distilled in 1993 – Bottled in 202, Aged in Ex-Bourbon Cask Single Cask, 124 Bottles

BENRIACH 1997 – AGED 24 YEARS , 63.5% Distilled in 1997 – Bottled in 2021, Aged in Hogshead Single Cask, 188 Bottles

ARDMORE 2009 – AGED 11 YEARS, 59.1% Distilled in 2009 – Bottled in 2021, Aged in Ex-Bourbon Cask Single Cask, 239 Bottles

LAPHROAIG 2004 – AGED 16 YEARS 55.1% Distilled in 2004 – Bottled in 2021 Aged in Refill Hogshead, 293 Bottles

AUCHENTOSHAN 1991 – AGED 30 yo, 62.8% Distilled in 1991 – Bottled in 2021, Aged in Hogshead 164 Bottles

More on La Maison du Whisky
Founded in 1956, La Maison du Whisky is one of the leading independent specialists in the distribution of rare whiskies in France and overseas. Selecting spirits has been a fundamental part of La Maison du Whisky’s work, a relentless quest for rare casks that has driven our everyday activities. In 2011, our cask selection mission took on a new dimension when we decided to create our own range of independent bottlings: the ARTIST range was born. For the very first time in its history, a special ARTIST range has been developed exclusively for the American market, with 5 exclusive single cask Single Malt Scotch whiskies, bottled at cask strength in very limited quantities. Featuring some of Scotland’s most revered and sought- after names, these casks represent the best whiskies our expert selection team has tasted over the last year.

About the Artist: Catherine Ludeau
Catherine Ludeau is a French artist born in Paris in 1956. Catherine works with tinted epoxy and resin, sometimes mixing in oil paint and acrylic. She plays with contrasts – gloss and matte, color and absence of color. The reflections in the resin that come to life when the viewer passes the canvas are an integral part of her compositions.

Catherine is inspired by Zen philosophy: balance, serenity, well being, clarity of mind.

“It is clear that my inspiration is first of all in nature, I need to give a metaphysical and spiritual dimension to my paintings.

What is beauty? It is simplicity, a simple thing said simply.”

ARTIST RANGE #11 showcases Catherine’s work: Fusion Métal No 3, 7, 9, 13, and 14.