Michel Couvreur The Unique Single Malt Whisky 70 cl 44% 44

The Unique carries its name for good reason - a whisky that insists on going its own way, from cask to bottle.

Expert's description

Michel Couvreur The Unique is a Single Malt Whisky matured in sherry casks and bottled at 44 percent.

The Unique is bottled after roughly 3 years of cask maturation at natural strength via Michel Couvreur's fresh filling method, where young Scotch malt whiskies are refilled onto fresh sherry casks the same day the casks are emptied. This gives a silky character that feels more mature than the relatively few years in cask would otherwise suggest.

Michel Couvreur's story doesn't begin in Scotland but in Burgundy, where he traded wine for decades before whisky drew him in during 1978. His fresh filling method meant the sherry casks never had time to dry out between sherry and whisky, something almost nobody else still does today.

Tasting notes

Nose

The nose is soft with honey, sherry and ripe apples, spiced with a hint of nutmeg.

Palate

The palate is silky and round, with sherry and caramel up front, supported by a light nutty dryness.

Finish

The finish is medium in length, warm and rounded, with a last sweetness of dried apricot.

Specifications

Name: The Unique
Distillery: Michel Couvreur
Region/Country: France
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 44 %
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: The Unique

Flavour profile

Soft · Sherry-matured · Round · Creamy

Did you know?

Michel Couvreur was unusually particular about his sherry casks and only accepted casks from Jerez that Emilio Lustau himself had selected for him - a detail that still defines the house's whisky today.

Frequently asked questions about Michel Couvreur The Unique Single Malt Whisky 70 cl 44%

What does 'fresh filling' mean for this whisky?

It's Michel Couvreur's own method, where sherry casks are emptied and immediately refilled with whisky, transferring the cask's moist sherry character directly to the spirit.

How long has The Unique matured in cask?

The whisky is bottled after roughly 3 years of cask maturation at its natural strength.

Is this whisky coloured?

No, Michel Couvreur The Unique is neither chill filtered nor coloured.

Is this whisky suitable for a beginner?

Yes, the soft, clean sherry character makes it approachable, while still offering enough depth for the seasoned enthusiast.

How is The Unique best enjoyed?

Try it at room temperature in a nosing glass, letting the soft sherry and honey notes fully unfold.

Why does the whisky feel older than its few years in cask suggest?

The fresh filling method means the whisky absorbs cask character far faster than usual, giving it a maturity beyond its actual age.