EP 19: The French Connection

The Friskey Whiskey Podcast

Join MikeD and TI as we welcome our guest Chef Christophe of Piknik. In this episode Chef Christophe walks us through some traditional French dishes while we pair them perfectly with Scotch whisky.

London Square 12 year old: 80 proof
Founded by Charles Edge. He began his journey into the world of spirits over two decades ago in France, where he learned the value of terroir, authenticity, and provenance in creating truly high-quality drinks. All of this knowledge and understanding was distilled into the launch of Charles Edge London in 2015, to create top quality, authentic British spirits with provenance that modern drinkers can always trust.

London Square whisky is made from a precise blend of malt and grain whiskies aged in Bourbon Barrels for 12 years to create a distinctively deep depth of flavor.

Nose: Smoky wood, hints of lemon, mint chocolate
Taste: Caramel, smokey fudge, sherry, oak, candied cherry, malt

The Glenlivet 15 year old French Oak Reserve: 80 proof
Glenlivet is a renowned Scottish whiskey distillery located in the Speyside region of Scotland. Its history dates back to 1824 when it was officially established by George Smith. George Smith started learning his craft of distilling whiskey in 1822. In 1823, the Excise Act was passed, allowing for the legal production of whiskey in Scotland under certain conditions. George Smith seized this opportunity and obtained the first license to legally distill whiskey in the Glenlivet region.The Glenlivet distillery was created in 1824 by Geroge Smith and his son John Smith. By 1839 they were producing 200 gallons a week.
Glenlivet name is Gaelic meaning is ‘Valley of the smooth flowing one’

The Glenlivet 15 Year Old single malt scotch whisky gets its distinctive rich and exotic character from a process of selective maturation in which a proportion of the spirit is matured in French oak casks. In fact, The Glenlivet were one of the first to use French oak for making whiskey, a technique that has since been imitated the world over. Its low density allows the whiskey to sink deep into the wood.

Nose: Buttercream, floral, roasted almond
Taste: Fruity, buttery almonds, cream, nutty, cinnamon spice

Brenne Estate Cask: 80 proof
Founded by former ballerina turned whisky entrepreneur Allison Parc, who had a passion and dream to make a single malt whiskey that was produced in France. She is from a third generation Cognac family in the heart of the Cognac region. Using her family's farm-distillery to produce the world’s first single malt whiskey aged exclusively in both new French Limousin Oak barrels and Cognac casks. First released in New York City in 2012, the whiskey embodies the elegant nature of its French terroir and brings a completely new style of French single malt whiskey to the market.

Nose: Fruit, violet, lilac, clove, vanilla, apples
Taste: Orange, almonds, blueberry, hibiscus, spice, oak, anise, chocolate, floral, honey