History

Brenne is founded by Allison Parc, who previously was a professional dancer in national ballet companies, and who today is the founder and president of Brenne French Single Malt Whisky. She was inspired by conversations about terroir in wine and the desire to apply this concept to whisky. Brenne is described as the world's first single malt aged exclusively in both new French Limousin oak casks and cognac casks.

Allison left her ballet career and began building an import/export portfolio of craft beverages. She found in Cognac, France, a third-generation cognac producer and began a partnership, where she proposed using former cognac casks in aging the whisky. With respect for tradition and added innovation, Brenne was created. The first bottles were distributed in 2012 via Citi Bike in Manhattan to get the product on shelves in the city's leading stores and bars. The first shipment of Brenne Estate Cask sold out within two months, and over the following years distribution expanded to 35 states and to France. In 2015 Brenne Ten was launched as an annual limited edition, which is drier and more spicy due to age, higher alcohol strength and cask handling, and only around 300 cases of this 10-year-old whisky are available each year.

In 2017, on International Women’s Day, Allison signed a partnership agreement to tailor the brand to distributor groups across the country. Today, Brenne is sold in all major markets and on top bars around the world. The distillery sits on a third-generation family farm distillery in Cognac, which has produced eau de vie since the 1920s. The ingredients come locally, are 100 percent organic and non-GMO, and the distillation takes place on a Charente alembic still. Brenne is described as the first single malt in the world aged exclusively in two types of casks: new French Limousin oak casks and cognac casks. The aim has been to give a clear sense of French terroir in the taste and aroma of the whisky, producing a fruit-forward, floral and creamy profile that sets Brenne apart from other whiskies.

Awards and Recognition

Brenne and Allison Parc have received several accolades, including World Whisky Brand Ambassador of the Year (2017, 2018 and 2021) according to Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky, USA – the first woman and the only one to have received the prize three times. Brenne has also received World Whiskies Awards in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

Production and Origin

The Brenne distillery is located at a third-generation family farm distillery in Cognac, France, which has produced eau de vie since the 1920s. All ingredients are locally sourced, 100 percent organic and non-GMO, and the distillery is fully certified organic by both the EU and USDA. Two varieties of heritage barley are grown on the property, and after malting the yeasts, which have been in the distillery’s family for generations, are used for fermentation. The spirit is then distilled twice in a Charente alembic still. The resulting spirit rests in Brenne’s signature casks: new French Limousin oak casks and cognac casks, after which it is diluted with water from the Charente River for bottling. The result is Brenne, the world's first single malt aged exclusively in these two casks.

Production/Manufacturing

Brenne is produced at a third-generation family farm distillery in Cognac, France, which has produced eau de vie since the 1920s. All ingredients are locally sourced, 100 percent organic and non-GMO, and the distillery is EU- and USDA-certified organic. Two varieties of heritage barley are grown on the property, and after malting a proprietary yeast, which has been in the distillery’s family for generations, is used for fermentation. The fermentation is followed by double distillation in a Charente alembic still, where the resulting spirit becomes floral and fruity. The resulting spirit rests in Brenne’s signature casks: new French Limousin oak casks and cognac casks, and it forms the basis for Brenne’s characteristic aroma and flavor. The difference from traditional single malts lies in the use of the two types of casks and in the fruity, blooming, creamy profile achieved throughout the process and the subsequent dilution with water from the Charente River.

Products/Whisky Series

Brenne Estate Cask

• ABV: 40% • Age statement: Minimum 6 years (6-8 years described in product text) • Tasting notes: Floral, fruity profile with creamy sugar notes such as crème brûlée and burnt caramel; on the palate notes of banana, tropical fruits and warm spices such as cinnamon and cloves. • Awards/recognition: San Francisco World Spirit Competition Double Gold, 2021; World Whiskies Awards Best NAS French Single Malt, 2020; World Whiskies Awards Best in Category, 2016 and 2017; Wine Enthusiast 93 (Excellent, Highly Recommended).

Brenne Ten

• ABV: 48% • Age statement: 10+ years; annual limited release of around 300 cases • Tasting notes: Builds on the Estate Cask DNA, but with a deeper, richer fruity flavor and notes of dried fruits, chili, black pepper, spices and dark chocolate. • Awards/recognition: Gold, 2021 (San Francisco World Spirit Competition); Wine Enthusiast 93 (Excellent, Highly Recommended); Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky (2016, 2017, 2020, 2021).

Philosophy

Allison Parc wanted to explore terroir in whisky and ask how terroir can be used in whisky as a sense of place in aroma and flavor. By respecting tradition and adding a touch of innovation in the distilling method, Brenne emerged: produced from French terroir, with local and organic sourcing, and aged in two types of casks to achieve a unique, fruit-forward, floral and creamy profile that sets Brenne apart from other whiskies.