Long before creating its own Breton whiskies, Celtic Whisky Distillerie was already writing its history with some of the greatest Scottish single malts. Selected in the 1990s and then patiently aged on the Breton coast, these rare bottlings are now being reborn as part of the Celtic Connexion collection.
A story that began nearly 30 years ago
Even before the first distillates from Celtic Whisky Distillerie, Jean Donnay traveled through Scotland in search of exceptional casks.
His intuition was simple: the maritime climate of Brittany could offer a second life to great Scottish single malts.
The casks were selected directly from iconic distilleries, transported to Brittany, and then matured for many years in the distillery's cellars, cradled by the sea spray, the tides, and the seasons.
This is how Celtic Connexion was born, the company's first historic activity and the foundation of the identity of Celtic Whisky Distillerie.
Ahead of its time, Celtic Connexion began experimenting in the 1990s with double maturation in French wine casks: Sauternes, Coteaux du Layon, Montbazillac…
These finishes brought a new aromatic depth to Scottish single malts and quickly became the house's signature.
Selection of the best Scotch casks
Every whisky begins its story in Scotland. Since the 1990s, Jean Donnay has selected casks from iconic distilleries, chosen for their character, their aging potential, and their uniqueness.
Double maturation in Brittany
Transported to the cellars of the Celtic Whisky Distillerie, these single malts continue their maturation in casks that once held fine French wines. A pioneering approach that brings depth, complexity, and a unique aromatic signature.
Ocean aging
Facing the sea, the Breton climate slowly leaves its mark. Saline humidity, mild temperatures, and time shape whiskies of remarkable elegance, revealing the full richness of their maturation after several decades.
In search of the forgotten barrels
After nearly three decades spent in Breton cellars, some of these casks are being opened today for the first time.
- Each bottling comes from a single cask.
- Each bottle is numbered.
An exceptional encounter between Scottish expertise and the influence of the Breton climate.
Celtic Connexion
The founding collection of Celtic Whisky Distillerie
Long before creating its own Breton whiskies, Celtic Whisky Distillerie was already writing its history with some of the greatest Scottish single malts. Distilled in 1996 and then patiently aged on the Brittany coast, these rare bottlings are reborn today as part of the Celtic Connexion collection.
Even before the first distillates from Celtic Whisky Distillerie, Jean Donnay traveled through Scotland in search of exceptional casks.
His intuition was simple: the Breton maritime climate could offer a second life to great Scottish single malts.
The casks were selected directly from iconic distilleries, transported to Brittany, and then aged for many years in the distillery's cellars, cradled by sea spray, tides, and the changing seasons.
That is how Celtic Connexion was born—the house's first historical activity and the foundation of Celtic Whisky Distillerie's identity.
Production method:
Distilled in 1996, this single malt was first aged in an ex-Bourbon cask before continuing its maturation in a former Coteaux du Layon cask, in the heart of the Celtic Whisky Distillerie cellars.
After 30 years of maturation, it reveals a rich, indulgent, and remarkably balanced profile.
Sold in its oak presentation box, this limited edition consists of 113 numbered bottles.
- Distillery: Ben Nevis, Highlands, Scotland
- Casked: November 8, 1996, ex-bourbon cask
- Double maturation: starting September 23, 2011, in a cask that contained Coteaux du Layon
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Age statement: 30 years
- Aging: Breton cellars of Celtic Whisky Distillerie
- Bottling: non-chill filtered, no caramel coloring
Tasting notes:
Appearance. Deep old gold with strong amber highlights.
Nose. Fruity and indulgent, with notes of candied peach, apricot, prune, and walnut, accompanied by honey, vanilla, and a slight brioche note, with a waxy and woody touch.
Palate. Lively attack, evolving into candied yellow fruits, caramel, brioche, and sweet spices.
Finish. Long and elegant, with honey and dried fruits, featuring a beautiful iodized freshness and a fine woody touch.
Celtic Connexion
The founding collection of Celtic Whisky Distillerie
Long before creating its own Breton whiskies, Celtic Whisky Distillerie was already writing its history with some of the greatest Scottish single malts. Distilled in 1997 and then patiently matured on the Breton coast, these rare bottlings are reborn today within the Celtic Connexion collection.
Even before the first distillates from Celtic Whisky Distillerie, Jean Donnay traveled through Scotland in search of exceptional casks.
His intuition was simple: the maritime climate of Brittany could offer a second life to great Scottish single malts.
The casks were selected directly from iconic distilleries, transported to Brittany, and then aged for many long years in the distillery's warehouses, cradled by the sea spray, the tides, and the seasons.
That is how Celtic Connexion was born, the house’s first historic activity and the foundation of the identity of Celtic Whisky Distillerie.
Production method:
A particularly rare independent bottling from this famous Speyside distillery.
After an initial aging in ex-Bourbon casks, this whisky benefits from a secondary maturation in a Montbazillac cask in the Breton warehouses.
The result is an elegant, complex single malt with remarkable length, sold in its oak presentation case.
This limited edition consists of 209 numbered bottles.
- Distillery: Cragganmore, Speyside, Scotland
- Casked: March 1997, ex-bourbon cask
- Double maturation: starting October 2011, Montbazillac cask
- Age statement: 29 years
- Refining: Celtic Whisky Distillerie Breton warehouses
- Bottling: non-chill filtered, no caramel coloring
Tasting notes:
Appearance. Deep old gold with strong amber highlights.
Nose. Indulgent and elegant, with honey, dried apricot, raisins, and walnuts, accompanied by a lovely pastry, buttery, brioche-like, and vanilla touch.
Palate. Supple, ample, and round attack, evolving into dried fruits, sweet spices, and a beautiful malty structure with buttery notes.
Finish. Long and harmonious, with honey and dried fruits, along with a slight salinity and delicate woodiness.
Celtic reopens the first chapter of its history
The Heritage Collection marks the rebirth of Celtic Connexion.
Over the years, other historic casks will join this collection, gradually revealing the exceptional heritage built by Celtic Whisky Distillerie over nearly thirty years.
