Breizh Blended
Mellow, Sweet Fruity2024-10-07
Smell
From the very first whiff, it is clear that Breizh Blended is not about traditional whisky flavours. Instead, the smell is reminiscent of a visit to a child's paradise: Balloons and jelly babies dominate, followed by a light, almost unobtrusive maltiness. The characteristic distillery odour does come through, but it seems to have lost its way. Barrel notes? Virtually non-existent - perhaps the barrels were used for something else instead.
Taste
The first sip confirms what the nose has already surmised. Breizh Blended tastes as if water has been mixed with a hint of whisky flavour. Hardly any character, but a sweet, almost sugary smoothness that floods the palate. However, this ‘smoothness’ lacks any depth. Instead, a flavour reminiscent of soap imposes itself - as if you had accidentally nibbled on a baked block of gummy bears from the dashboard.
Finish
The finish is so short that one wonders whether it exists at all. A barely perceptible oak note quickly disappears to make way for a slightly ethanolic, sugary aftertaste. It is as if the whisky is literally running away from itself.
Thoughts
Breizh Blended is a prime example of how not to make a whisky. A cheap blend that tries to be pleasing with its exaggerated sweetness and smoothness, but loses every trace of complexity and character in the process. Slightly fizzy and with no oak presence to speak of, it leaves whisky lovers disappointed. This whisky really doesn't need to be - unless you have a penchant for jelly babies and soapy water.