Michel Couvreur, Blended Malt Whisky, Hyphen

Michel Couvreur believed that while the still gives whisky life, the oak gives it a soul. In his humid cellars, hewn from the rock of Bouze-lès-Beaune, this belief is transformed into liquid reality. The Hyphen Blended Malt is the ultimate expression of this art.

By integrating a 2006 Scottish malt aged in Fino casks and barrel previously holding Chenin Blanc with a younger, peated French malt matured in Moscatel casks, Couvreur has created a study in contrast. The result is a whisky of taut balance and structural integrity, offering a powerful core wrapped in delicate aromatics and a lingering, textural finish. On the nose, expect elegant florals, mint, and biscuit. The palate unfolds with "plenty of biscuity malt, sweet caramel and bright fruit… with an elegant ripple of peat smoke and rich oak at its core." Bottled at 46% ABV after ~17 years total aging, Hyphen shows how masterful blending and unique barrel choices can yield a whisky greater than the sum of its parts. Only 500ml bottles are released.