Michel Couvreur : Alba Chapter II Single Cask 2021 Edition 2002

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Alba Chapter II Single Cask 2021 Edition 2002 by Michel Couvreur

Tasting Notes

Colour
An amber hue, dense and deep, reflecting its long ageing in a sweet wine cask.

Nose
Highly floral, delicate and subtle. It reveals aromas of fruit and citrus, accompanied by a slight touch of vanilla, honey, candied orange and a hint of salinity.

Palate
Smooth, delicate and light. The texture is rich and concentrated, offering citrus flavours and complex rancio notes. The finish is long and floral, unfolding into notes of herbal tea, anise and menthol.

Food Pairings and Tasting Occasions
This exceptional spirit is best enjoyed as a digestif, at the end of a meal, for a moment of quiet contemplation. It pairs wonderfully with a square of lightly sweetened dark chocolate, a cooked pressed cheese such as an aged Comté, or a semi-cooked foie gras. It is recommended to serve it in a tulip-shaped glass and to let it open up for a few minutes before tasting.

Mixology
Owing to its rarity and remarkable aromatic complexity, this exceptional product is intended above all to be enjoyed neat. Ice should be avoided so as not to freeze its smooth texture. Adding a few drops of water may, however, be considered to help open up the aromatic bouquet.

An Exceptional Single Cask: the Elegance of Irish Whiskey Enhanced by Michel Couvreur

Maison Michel Couvreur: the Art of Ageing in Burgundy
Founded by Michel Couvreur, a former wine merchant, the eponymous House holds a unique place in the world of spirits. Established in Bouze-lès-Beaune in Burgundy, it is built on a strong philosophy: whisky is born in the still but shaped in the cask. A pioneer of ageing, the House imports distillates to mature them in its exceptionally humid underground cellars, primarily in former sherry or prestigious wine casks. Today, governance remains strictly within the family. Marthe Couvreur, the founder's wife, oversees this legacy alongside her daughter Alexandra, her son-in-law Cyril Deschamps and cellar master Jean-Arnaud Frantzen. In 2022, the House inaugurated its own distillery, while continuing to age gems such as this Irish Whisky. Michel Couvreur's artisanal approach is reflected in hand-bottling and natural reduction.

Alba Chapter II Single Cask 2021 Edition 2002: a Rare and Bold Vintage
The Alba Chapter II Single Cask 2021 Edition 2022 is a historic cuvée strictly limited to 866 bottles of 500 ml. Distilled on 21 February 2002 according to the triple distillation tradition, this Irish whiskey represents the very first Irish distillate aged by the Burgundy House. It follows the previous chapter, which had been aged in a chenin cask.

For this edition, the distillate enjoyed an exceptional 19-year maturation in a single Malaga Pedro Ximénez cask. Placed in the humid area of the Bouze-lès-Beaune cellars, this Andalusian naturally sweet wine cask slowly shaped the spirit's profile, imparting oxidative rancio notes and a silky texture.

Hand-bottled on 30 June 2021, this Single Cask is offered cask strength, at its natural 45.50% ABV, and without any cold filtration. This artisanal method ensures the full preservation of oils and aromatic compounds. A true collector's piece, this 2002 vintage perfectly illustrates the dialogue between the finesse of Irish malt, the richness of Spanish wine and the unique climate of the Burgundy cellars.