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7th July 2021 |
Review of the
second release in the Cotswolds Hearts &
Crafts series, this one has been fully
matured in Pineau des Charentes French
oak casks.
 Cotswolds
Distillery has just released the second
expression in their Heart and Crafts
series, this time it is a single malt
whisky which has been fully matured in Pineau des Charentes
oak casks.
Pineau des Charentes is a little-known
regional specialty of the Charentes
Maritime region of France, sitting north
of Bordeaux and encompasses the
Cognac-producing region. It is made from
fresh grape juice, which is blended with
Cognac and left to age in oak barrels
for a number of years. The sweetness of
the grape juice tempers the bite of the
Cognac, which combined with dry nutty
notes from European oak casks makes it a
great aperitif.
Cotswolds Hearts and Crafts Pineau des
Charentes Cask has been fully matured in the
white grape Pineau casks and the French
oak imparts a slightly more bitter and
tannic note than the American oak used
by the distillery for aging their
whisky.
"I first started drinking Pineau on a
trip to the beautiful Atlantic island of
Isle de Ré, just off the cost of La
Rochelle, in 1994 and I’ve always had a
soft spot for it", says Daniel Szor,
Cotswolds Distillery Founder "hence the
excitement at the idea of aging our
Cotswolds single malt spirit in these
casks."
The whisky has been matured for its full
term in the casks, and the techniques of
rejuvenation and seasoning under
pressure allows the distillery to get
the best out of the wine and the wood.
As the woodgrain is not tight, more
tannins come into the spirit.
Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement
this second expression in the series continues with a
William Morris design, which is both
classic and contemporary. This prolific
and innovative designer was one of the
leaders of the Arts and Crafts Movement,
which was created in the late 19th
century and stood for the importance of
traditional craftsmanship, the same
values upon which the beautiful rural
distillery was built. William Morris
spent much of his time in the summer in
his Cotswolds home, Kelmscott Manor and
the verdant green leaves featured on the
label and luxury gift box are perfect
for the lushness and vitality of spring
and celebrate St George’s Day which is a
highlight of spring festivities.
Bottled at 55.2% ABV, non-chill filtered and without any added
colouring, the Cotswolds
Hearts & Crafts Pineau de Charentes is a
limited release of 1,600 bottles with a
RRP of £74.95, it will be available to
buy exclusively from Cotswolds
Distillery website.
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Cotswolds Hearts & Crafts Pineau de Charentes Review
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William
Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
Delicious notes of raisin, sugared
almonds and vanilla icing, some orange,
plum and peach adds to the fruitiness
all accompanied by some oak.
Taste:
Raisin, zesty orange and almond infused
with some lovely oak spice and pepper
leads, closely followed by some fudge, a
little peach and some late grapefruit
and a little bitter dark chocolate and
oak spice.
Finish:
Longish, the fruit bows out quickly
leaving some lingering pepper and
slightly drying, bittering oak spice.
Comment:
A fantastic lovely enticing nose and an
enjoyable dram overall, a good balance
of oak and fruit on the nose and mouth
before the fruit is outdone by the
French oak on the finish.
SMW Whisky Score
88/100
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