Over the previous few years, Dewar’s Cask Sequence has launched a handful of barrel-finished whiskies, starting with Caribbean Clean (rum casks) after which adopted up by Ilegal Clean (mezcal casks), Portuguese Clean (port casks), and Japanese Clean (mizunara casks). Now there’s a fifth providing—French Clean, which sees Dewar’s eight-year-old scotch whisky completed in Calvados casks sourced from Normandy, France. Bottles will hit cabinets this October.
Dewar’s French Clean begins as a mix of greater than 40 single malt and grain whiskies that have been aged to maturity earlier than coming into the Calvados barrels for a further six months. These barrels impart a touch of sweetness and the French spirit’s hallmark notes of baked apples. In accordance with Dewar’s, aromas are advanced and candy, with honey and creme anglaise. The palate brings baked apples, citrus, and a touch of cinnamon.
We don’t love the time period “clean” to explain spirits. Tamping down a number of the tough edges is one factor, however in our thoughts, it’s not a good suggestion to sacrifice character for smoothness. That stated, we discovered loads to love in Dewar’s Caribbean Clean and Portuguese Clean expressions, and Japanese Clean additionally proved fascinating, with mizunara-induced notes of spicy sandalwood. Ilegal Clean was maybe much less profitable, however nonetheless an fascinating dram. So, Dewar’s observe document has us paying consideration, and we’ll fortunately give this a shot, too.
You possibly can drink Dewar’s French Clean neat, on the rocks, or nonetheless you want. However the model suggests mixing it right into a fall cocktail, just like the Apple Cinnamon Highball beneath.
