Celtic Whisky Distillerie
Founded in 1997 in Brittany, and a true pioneer for French whisky, the Celtic Whisky Distillerie produces whiskies that have gained awards in international competitions and earned glowing reviews in the specialist press. The company makes single malt whiskies…with a clear focus on quality and authenticity. From around fifty distilleries in France, this company’s distillery (named ‘Glann ar Mor’ by its founders) may be the only one that benefits from all the specific features for producing whisky akin to traditional Scottish whisky, including: small copper onion-shaped pot stills; live flame; slow distillation; maturation in bourbon casks and located on the coast; no chill filtration… and whisky with its own natural colour.
The company makes two main brands of whisky: Glann ar Mor (‘beside the sea’ in the Breton language), a non peated single malt, imbued by the climatic influences of its terroir, the prevailing winds and maturation next to the sea. According to Jim Murray (author of the Whisky Bible) in 2018: “There is good whisky in France. The best distillery in France is probably Glann ar Mor… Their production is of a very, very consistent quality.” The second brand produced is Kornog (Breton for the westerly wind that sweeps across the peninsula at the distillery). This peated single malt can be deemed the gold standard for French whisky, scoring 95/100 in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
Maison Villevert recently acquired the company (originally named The Celtic Whisky Compagnie) and is set for new adventures in the world of premium spirits. The acquisition represents two major first for Maison Villevert: the first foray into the world of whisky and the first expansion outside the region of Cognac.