{"id":573,"date":"2026-06-04T12:29:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T12:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amateurspirit.com\/?post_type=product&p=573"},"modified":"2026-06-07T22:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T22:54:18","slug":"kornog-2018","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/amateurspirit.com\/?product=kornog-2018","title":{"rendered":"Kornog 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celtic Whisky Distillerie<\/strong>\u00a0was founded in 1997 by Martine<\/strong> and Jean Donnay<\/strong> on the coasts ofNorth Brittany, with the ambition to produce whiskies in the purest artisanal tradition: wooden fermenters and slow distillation, over an open flame, in small copper pot stills – exactly as was done up until the mid-60s in renowned Scottish distilleries. Moreover, the oceanic climate promotes early balance and complexity. Kornog is the name for the distillery’s peated whisky expressions.<\/p>\n

Why the lighthouse on the front label? Standing defiantly on the open sea reefs just off the coast of Pleubian, the historic <\/span>Phare des H\u00e9aux de Br\u00e9hat<\/span><\/strong> has braved Northern Brittany\u2019s violent currents and vigorous storms since 1840.<\/span> This towering stone tower captures the unapologetic, robust character of Kornog\u2019s peated single malt. This lighthouse is continuously lashed and shaped by the relentless Atlantic spray; it cannot go unnoticed during a visit to the distillery.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this edition, the amateur jury consisted of Gil Firth<\/strong> (Isra\u00ebl), Frederick Maitland<\/strong> (Scotland) and Serge Valentin<\/strong> (France).<\/p>\n

This Kornog 2018 peated whisky from Celtic Whisky Distillerie was agreed upon by the jury for its freshness, purity, citrus and peach fruit – and of course, the peat. Gil right out of the gates claimed, “Such an amazing whisky. I don’t need to add anything more.” He especially got on with the whisky’s bright peat and citrus and peach fruit. Frederick appreciated how well it responded to oxygen. He loved “the purity of the experience” and commented on late May to early June flowering notes, a whisky with perfect seasonality. Serge right away remarked on the whisky\u2019s fatness and elegance, noting hints of Caol Ila with its fresh easygoing personality, but with lots of weight. “Nobody can be against this one”\u00a0 he added.<\/p>\n

All three tasters agreed on its freshness, purity, fat texture, yet elegant spirit. It\u2019s a young single cask whisky showing signature Kornog character and clean summery peach and lemony citrus fruit, with the Islay hit of peat always present. Conversation even suggested it’s not unlike an old Islay style of whisky from decades ago.<\/p>\n