Origin: Occitane (France)
Type: Single Malt French Whisky
Strength: 46%abv
Ageing casks: Ex-Cognac
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Le Domaine de la Pèze
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: domainedelapeze.com
For 14 generations, the Cagnat family has managed 160 hectares of pastures, farmland, and woods in Villefranche de Rouergue, in Occitanie, on the Domaine de la Pèze estate.
It was in 2019 that Charles and Barbara Cagnat, after extensive experience abroad, decided to use the grains from their own crops—until then used to feed deer and fallow deer—to produce a whisky deeply rooted in the local area, a “paysan” (peasant-style) whisky, as they like to call it.
Production carried out as much as possible at zero food miles, working in synergy with local businesses such as the La Hocq brasserie in Saint-Christophe-Vallon or the Malterie du Vieux-Silo, to create a single malt that fully expresses the Occitanie terroir.
Locally grown Calypso barley, hybrid column distillation and maturation mainly in ex-cognac casks for a production that, even in its quantity, fully reflects the artisanal approach – just about ten casks a year.
Their single malt is called Moyssou (meaning “harvest” in Occitan), an obviously limited edition from the 2021 crop, distilled in February 2023 and bottled exactly three years later in 2026, at 46%abv and without any alterations.
Tasting Notes
Very young on the nose, with all the character of the new make still clearly defined, between yeast, pear juice, and grape stalks. Closer to a grappa than to a single malt, with a fruity sweetness that smooths out the acidity, among apricot, peach, plums, and persimmon, together with almond oil, rye bread, and fennel seeds. Slightly mentholated on the finish. Pleasant.
Bread and fruit return to the palate, still remaining much closer to a grappa (or a young cognac) than to a whisky. Light but not too much so, it offers stone fruit, grapes, almonds, a touch of lemon zest and mandarin, and vegetal impressions that become more evident on the finish. There is a light contribution of spices (white pepper, coriander), with a faint balsamic note lingering in the aftertaste.
Rather short finish, where vegetal and balsamic notes prevail, with almond, shortcrust pastry, dried fruit, and white pepper.
Review: Still very, far too immature, but not for this reason negligible, already showing a direction and a personality that more significant maturations will be able to enhance. A pleasant dram, full of promise.
Vote: 81/100