From one of the world's most unique distilleries, it's Scotch – by way of Burgundy.

We're firm believers that well-made spirits can be deeply satisfying for wine lovers, too; and the whiskies of Burgundy's Michel Couvreur are perhaps the ultimate example.

There's more below on this fascinating distillery that sits perfectly at the intersection of rare natural wine and complex whisky. And for the already initiated, you'll want to know that:

1. Cellar master Jean-Arnaud Frantzen will be joining us on Fulton St next week for an incredibly special evening of whisky and discussion; and
   
2. We have a very limited drop of Alexandra Couvreur's Aligoté, to be released the night of the event ;)

Michel Couvreur dedicated his life to maturing Scotch whisky in rare, old barrels (very often, from iconic sources) – all in a cellar just outside of Beaune.

Originally from Belgium, Michel spent the 1950s traveling between Burgundy and the UK, where he sold wine. Scotland eventually became a bit of a spiritual home for him, and he spent the '60s there in Orkney learning how to make Scotch whisky.

The most intriguing part of the process for Michel was the acquisition of old Sherry casks for aging; but changing times meant this essential ingredient was overshadowed by newer (and cheaper) modern aging vessels. This led him back to Burgundy, where he settled in 1978 and established his own cellar in Bouze-lès-Beaune.

Even the cellar has a pedigreed story, 100 meters long and dug straight into the limestone with assistance from an architect of the Mont Blanc tunnel:

Michel’s unique process involves bringing unaged eaux-de-vie distillate from Scottish grain back to the Côte-d’Or, where it's aged in a sweeping variety of rare, old barrels carefully acquired from admired sources. This includes Pedro Ximénez and Palomino Sherry, but also vessels from friends acquired along the way (names like Dominique Derain; Jean-François Ganevat; and Stéphane Tissot, whose Vin Jaune barrels were used in one of the whiskies below).

His relentless pursuit of the best and most fascinating barrels is core to his philosophy that the majority (90%, as he put it) of character and complexity in whisky comes from the aging vessel.

Sadly, Michel passed away over a decade ago; but the spirit and process of his work lives on through his wife Marthe, daughter Alexandra, son-in-law Cyril Deschamps, and cellar master Jean-Arnaud Frantzen.

The work has expanded, too, with Alexandra and Cyril now operating a nearby malt house and distillery to make base spirits from local cereal grains; and their son Albéric becoming involved in the business.

These continue to be some of the most unique (and wine-adjacent) spirits we've ever tasted.

Whiskies currently in stock are below, and there's a forthcoming special addition to the lineup: Alexandra's biodynamic Aligoté, which she makes from a small parcel that Michel bought for her in Bouze-lès-Beaune. First time imported stateside, it's a rare bottle; and it will be available next Wednesday night... 🤫

Michel Couvreur 'The Unique' Whisky, $42
A blended whisky of malted and unmalted grain, aged 4 years in hogshead cask. A great intro, stylishly delicate and a bit nervier than the more aged whiskies.

Michel Couvreur Vin Jaune Barrel Whisky $135
Malt whisky aged 10 years in barrels from the Vin Jaune made by Jura star Stéphane Tissot. Bottled at cask strength, unfiltered.

Michel Couvreur 1997 'Alba' 22 Year Old, $500
Single malt whisky aged 17 years in Fino Sherry cask, followed by an additional 5 years in used cask from Quentin Bourse's Sot de l'Ange Chenin Blanc. Bottled at cask strength.

Michel Couvreur 2002 'Alba II' 19 Year Old, $600
Single malt whisky aged 19 years in Pedro Ximénez cask. Bottled at cask-strength.

SHOP COUVREUR