Ooh La La! When Whisky Goes to Paris

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… three French hens (two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree).

Wah, suddenly got French chickens in the English Christmas song? Very cosmopolitan lah! But you know what? In the whisky world, this makes perfect sense. Because when Scottish whisky meets French influence – whether through fancy French oak barrels or the elegant triple distillation method – something magical happens. It’s like when you add French butter to your croissant… suddenly everything becomes très magnifique!

Welcome to Day 3 of Mr Chow’s 12 Days of Christmas Whisky Giveaway, where we’re exploring how French elegance transforms whisky. Today we’re diving into French oak whisky Malaysia connoisseurs are falling in love with, plus the fascinating art of triple distilled whisky that makes spirits silky smooth like butter.

Think about it – French champagne, French wine, French cheese, French… everything lah, always associated with class and sophistication right? Same thing happens when French oak casks meet Scottish whisky. The result? Whisky that makes you feel fancy even if you’re drinking it in your pajamas while watching Netflix!

And yes, like the previous two days, we’re still giving away amazing bottles! Keep reading to find out how you can win some seriously sophisticated whisky this Christmas season!

The French Connection: Why France Matters to Whisky

Let me keep this simple and fun lah, no boring history lessons. You might wonder: “Chow, Scotland makes whisky, not France. What’s with all the French talk?”

Great question! While Scotland makes the whisky, France provides some of the most important ingredients that give whisky its character – specifically, premium oak barrels. It’s like how your mum’s curry is Malaysian food, but the spices might come from India – both contribute to the final masterpiece!

French Oak vs American Oak (The Quick Version)

Remember we’ve talked about oak barrels? Well, not all oak is the same:

American Oak (Quercus alba):

• Sweet, vanilla, coconut, caramel
• Faster growing, more available
• Used for bourbon barrels
• Cheaper and abundant

French Oak (Quercus robur):

• Spicy, tannic, dried fruits, subtle complexity
• Slower growing, tighter grain
• Used for wine and cognac barrels
• More expensive and prestigious

French oak grows in cooler European forests, taking longer to mature. This makes the wood grain tighter and more expensive. But that tight grain releases flavors more gradually and elegantly. It’s the difference between getting whacked in the face with vanilla (American oak) versus being gently seduced by spice and fruit (French oak). Both shiok, just different moods!

French Wine Casks: Where the Magic Happens

France is famous for wine – Bordeaux, Burgundy, Sauternes, you name it. And after French winemakers finish aging their wine in oak barrels, whisky distilleries buy those used casks for finishing whisky!

Common French wine casks used:

• Bordeaux (red wine): Adds berry notes, tannins, dryness, sophistication
• Sauternes (sweet dessert wine): Adds honey, tropical fruits, sweetness (remember yesterday’s Nectar d’Or?)
• Burgundy: Adds lighter red fruit, elegant floral notes
• Port pipes (Portuguese but same style): Adds rich berry, chocolate, warming spice

Each one transforms whisky differently – like how different types of sambal change your nasi lemak experience! Same base food, totally different vibe.

Triple Distillation: The Three French Hens Metaphor

Now here’s where the “three French hens” theme gets really interesting. In whisky making, most Scottish distilleries distill their spirit twice. But some fancy places? They distill three times! This is what we call triple distillation, and it’s all about that smooth, refined elegance.

Why Three Times? (The Simple Explanation)

Each time whisky goes through the still (that copper pot that heats and purifies the liquid), it becomes purer and smoother. Think of it like filtering your coffee:

First distillation (First Hen): Removes the big nasty stuff, creates “low wines” (around 20-25% alcohol)
Second distillation (Second Hen): Removes more impurities, creates “new make spirit” (around 65-70% alcohol)
Third distillation (Third Hen): Final refinement, creates ultra-smooth spirit (around 80-85% alcohol before dilution)

The result? Whisky so smooth, it’s like drinking silk. Less harsh, less oily, more delicate and refined. Perfect for people who find regular whisky too aggressive!

Who Does Triple Distillation?

All Irish Whiskey: Every single Irish whiskey is triple distilled (it’s their signature style!)
Auchentoshan (Scottish Lowland): The only Scottish distillery that triple distills everything
Some Special Batches: Occasionally other distilleries experiment with triple distillation

Fun Fact: Irish and Scottish whisky makers argue about who invented triple distillation first. It’s like Singapore and Malaysia arguing about who invented chicken rice – nobody knows, everyone claims it, we just enjoy eating it!

Does Triple Distillation Make Whisky Better?

Not better lah – just different!

Triple distilled whisky: ✅ Smoother, lighter, more delicate
✅ Less oily mouthfeel
✅ Perfect for hot weather (like Malaysia!)
✅ Great for beginners

Double distilled whisky: ✅ More robust, fuller body
✅ Richer mouthfeel
✅ More complex flavors
✅ Traditional Scottish style

Some people love the delicacy of triple distillation. Others want that full-bodied punch from double distillation. No right or wrong – just personal preference!

The Magnificent Three: French-Influenced Beauties

Let’s explore three stunning whiskies that showcase French influence, all available at Mr Chow’s Liquor Store. Each one represents a different aspect of French elegance!

1. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban – The Port Pipe Prince

Price: RM290

This beauty combines Scottish craft with Portuguese port pipes made from French oak. “Quinta Ruban” means “ruby estate” in Portuguese – fancy name for fancy whisky lah!

The Story:
Aged first in bourbon casks for smoothness, then “extra matured” in port pipes (massive port wine casks from Portugal) for 10 additional years. Those port pipes are made from French oak and previously held rich ruby port wine.

What You’ll Taste:

• Rich dark chocolate and orange
• Mint and walnuts
• Sweet port wine influence (berries, dried fruits)
• Velvety smooth texture
• Long warming finish with spice

Why It’s Perfect for Day 3:
French oak from the port pipes adds that sophisticated European character. Plus, the dark chocolate notes? Very Christmas dessert vibes!

Malaysian Pairing:
Try it with chocolate lava cake or black forest cake. The berry notes from the port cask match beautifully with cherries! Also works surprisingly well with dark chocolate Tim Tam (yes, seriously – dip the Tim Tam, bite, sip whisky… magic!).

Serving Tip:
In our Malaysian heat, serve this slightly chilled. The port influence is sweet and rich – a little cooling helps balance the intensity!

2. Arran Amarone Cask Finish – The Italian-French Hybrid

Price: RM340

Okay, Amarone is Italian wine, not French. But the barrels are made from French oak! So it counts lah, don’t be so strict. Plus, Arran is from the Isle of Arran in Scotland, making this a truly international collaboration – Scotland meets Italy via French wood!

The Story:
Isle of Arran distillery took their fruity island whisky and finished it in casks that previously held Amarone wine. Amarone is a fancy Italian red wine made from partially dried grapes (concentrated flavor!), aged in French oak barrels.

What You’ll Taste:

• Red berries and cherries (from the wine cask)
• Dark chocolate and raisins
• Vanilla and spice
• Hints of citrus peel
• Rich but not heavy – very balanced

Why It’s Special:
This is a limited release that sells out fast! Arran makes some of the most interesting cask-finished whiskies, and the Amarone cask is one of their best experiments. Very unique – your whisky-loving friends probably haven’t tried this one yet!

Malaysian Pairing:
Cheese fondue or rich mushroom dishes. If you’re doing Western-style Christmas dinner, this pairs beautifully with beef Wellington or prime rib. For local twist? Try it with bak kut teh – the herbal spiciness actually works with the wine influence!

Conversation Starter:
Tell your guests: “This whisky aged in Italian wine barrels made from French oak, distilled in Scotland!” Watch their faces go “wah, so international!”

3. Dalmore 12 Year Old – The Highland Gentleman

Price: RM310

If French oak whisky was a person, Dalmore 12 would be the smooth-talking gentleman in a tailored suit. This Highland single malt uses multiple cask types, including French wine casks, creating layers of complexity.

The Story:
Dalmore splits their 12-year-old whisky between American white oak (ex-bourbon) and exclusive French wine casks. After separate aging, they marry everything together for the final expression. It’s like a whisky orchestra where every instrument plays its part!

What You’ll Taste:

• Orange marmalade and citrus zest
• Dark chocolate and coffee
• Christmas spices (cinnamon, nutmeg)
• Rich dried fruits
• Smooth, luxurious mouthfeel

Why Premium Price Makes Sense:
Dalmore is known for quality. They don’t rush anything, and they use genuinely premium casks. This isn’t just marketing talk – you can taste the difference!

Malaysian Pairing:
Christmas pudding or fruit cake (obviously!). Also works beautifully with salted caramel desserts or crème brûlée. For savory? Try it with roasted duck or char siew – the orange notes complement the glaze perfectly!

Gift Potential:
Dalmore’s iconic stag logo on the bottle looks impressive. This is the whisky you bring when you want your in-laws to approve of you. Premium packaging, premium juice, premium impression!

Browse more French oak influenced whiskies here.

Triple Distilled Smoothness: The Irish & Lowland Options

Since we’re talking about “three” French hens, let’s explore some triple distilled beauties that showcase that silky smooth character!</