Brigantia 5 Years (2018/2023) Cognac Single Cask
What a find! From the Steinhauser distillery on the shores of Lake Constance comes this single cask bottling that spent five years in a cognac cask – and clearly thrived in it. Cask no. 910 delivers a single malt at 58% ABV that instantly lifts the spirits with its blend of power and elegance.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A bountiful fruit basket greets with open arms: apricot and peach as dried fruits, plus a fruity-malty warmth that puts an instant smile on your face. Vanilla and a generous helping of butter biscuit round things off, while pear, white grape, and honey hum quietly in the background. No need for philosophising – just clean, intense, and simply beautiful.
Palate
Grape sugar opens proceedings, extremely delicate and with a grace that recalls the Redbreast 12 Cask Strength – high praise indeed. Already dry, but never parching. Honey sweetness and nutmeg dance arm in arm, joined by white peach in all its elegance. Wood is present, discreet and supportive. In between, a fine malt crackle that says: here speaks a classic, masterfully crafted single malt. Clean, but with character.
Finish
Properly powerful, with a grape sweetness that takes you by surprise. Extremely soft woodiness spreads out – entirely free of tannins, entirely free of bitterness, just perfectly balanced. Warming, with white pepper as a spicy accent. Remarkably long for an unpeated whisky – so long you can practically chew on the aftertaste.
Thoughts
Marcel 90/100 - (World class)
What can I say – this one is fantastic! Serious power, yet balanced and delicate. Full of character, yet elegant. You can practically taste an evening stroll along Lake Constance, when the golden light falls across the water and everything just feels right. One of my absolute favourites.
Sascha 89/100 - (Excellent)
Straightforward and classic in the best sense. Absolutely clean, it showcases the highlights with precision, never overwhelming. Delicate and superbly balanced – there's very little to criticise. Just missed the 90 mark as it lacks the last trace of full-bodiedness, but that really is nitpicking at the highest level.
Value for Money: 5/5 (Excellent)
💸 This whisky offers an outstanding value for money and is our value pick.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind Brigantia whisky?
Brigantia is the whisky brand of the Steinhauser distillery in Kressbronn on Lake Constance. The family-run distillery and wine manufactory has been producing German single malts for years, benefiting from the mild Lake Constance climate and the region's artisanal traditions.
What does the cognac cask contribute to the whisky?
The cognac cask lends the Brigantia an elegant dried-fruit sweetness with apricot and peach, plus a fine honey sweetness and nutty wood aromas. Compared to bourbon or sherry casks, the cognac cask produces a particularly delicate, classic profile with a dry underlying structure.
How should you enjoy the Brigantia Cognac Single Cask?
At cask strength of 58%, a first sip neat is recommended – the power and intensity are impressive and the aromas extremely precise. A few drops of water can further open up the honey sweetness and grape sugar notes without diluting the delicate structure.