Why French Whiskey Belongs on Your Shelf

Forbes

2 days ago

Glass of cognac on the vintage barrel.
getty
France has long had a reputation for doing alcohol very well. Cognac? Legendary. Champagne? Peerless. Wine in general? A national obsession. But whiskey? Until recently, that was more of a side character in the French drinks universe—enjoyed, perhaps, but not often made.
That's changing. Thanks to a growing number of ambitious distillers and an audience eager for homegrown alternatives to Scotch or Irish whiskey, France is becoming a serious player in the global whiskey scene. And yes, the French are doing it their way—with regional ingredients, wine barrel finishes, and a deep respect for terroir.
Here's what to know about the rise of French whiskey—and six bottles that absolutely belong on your shelf.
The French have been drinking whiskey for over a century—largely imports from Scotland, Ireland, and the U.S. But the idea of making whiskey? That took time. For decades, French law and tradition centered around grape-based spirits like Cognac and Armagnac. It wasn't until the late 20th century that whiskey-making in France really took off, with distillers in Brittany and Alsace leading the way.
Why those regions? Because they already had a distilling culture, and—perhaps more importantly—they weren't part of the protected zones for Cognac or Armagnac, giving them more freedom to experiment. Fast forward to today, and France now has over 100 whiskey producers crafting everything from peated single malts to rye whiskeys aged in Sauternes barrels.
Armorik Single Malt
Distillerie Warenghem
Lannion, Brittany
Armorik is basically the OG of French whiskey—produced by Warenghem, a family-run distillery that's been making spirits since the 1900s and whiskey since the 1980s. If France had a whiskey hall of fame, this would be the first inductee.
The Armorik Classic Single Malt is aged in French oak and sherry casks, offering notes of malted barley, apple tart, honey, and spice, with just enough oak to keep things grounded. It's warm, inviting, and wonderfully Breton.
Brenne French Single Malt
Brenne
Cognac Region
Brenne is the whiskey your wine-loving friend will instantly understand. Founded by former ballerina-turned-spirits-entrepreneur Allison Parc, it's distilled in the Cognac region using organic barley, and aged in—wait for it—ex-Cognac barrels.
The result? A fruity, floral whiskey with flavors of banana bread, crème brûlée, dried fig, and baking spice, and a finish that feels like dessert in a glass. If you like your whiskey soft, approachable, and just a little bit flashy, Brenne is your move.
Origine Collection
Rozelieures Single Malt
Lorraine
Rozelieures is one of the few French distilleries that grows its own barley, malts it, distills it, and ages it all on-site. Think of it as the farm-to-glass whiskey of France—with volcanic soil thrown in for good measure.
The Origine Collection is lightly peated and aged in ex-Cognac and sherry casks. Expect notes of smoky pear, black tea, citrus peel, and roasted nuts, all tied together by a delicate minerality. If you're into Highland-style Scotch but want to go off-script, this one's a no-brainer.
Moissons Single Malt
Domaine des Hautes Glaces
Alps Region
This is the whiskey equivalent of a biodynamic natural wine. Domaine des Hautes Glaces (aka DHG) makes avant-garde spirits using sustainable farming, long fermentation, and native yeast. You don't just drink this stuff—you feel it.
The Moissons Single Malt offers an earthy, grain-forward profile with aromas of hay, toasted rye bread, dried fruit, and a whisper of alpine herbs. It's rustic, bold, and built for serious sipping—or intense philosophical debates.
Triple Malt Rouge
Bellevoye
Blend of Three Regions
Bellevoye does things a little differently. Rather than distilling in one region, they source whiskey from three different distilleries in France and blend it—think of it as a curated tasting menu in a bottle. The Rouge expression is finished in ex-Bordeaux wine casks, which gives it a tannic edge and a lovely red fruit core.
You'll find notes of cherry compote, toasted oak, almond skin, and dark chocolate, with a plush, almost chewy finish. If you like whiskey with swagger and structure, this one's for you.
Heritage French Malt
Alfred Giraud
Cognac Region
Crafted by a family with deep Cognac roots, Alfred Giraud takes a haute couture approach to whiskey. The Heritage release blends several malt distillates and is aged in a combination of new French oak and Cognac casks.
It's smooth but complex, with flavors of stewed plum, spice cake, roasted hazelnut, and orange peel, and just enough Cognac richness to make you say "Ooh la la." Yes, it's on the pricier side—but very much worth it if you're into layered, luxurious pours.
French whiskey may still be considered 'new,' but it's rooted in deep craft traditions and powered by a seriously creative distilling culture. These aren't Scotch clones—they're expressions of French terroir, barrel aging expertise, and yes, a little Gallic flair.
So if your whiskey shelf is already packed with bottles from Kentucky, Islay, and Hokkaido, it might be time to make room for something with a French accent. Just don't be surprised if one of these bottles becomes your next favorite—and insists on being paired with cheese.