Alfred Giraud Harmonie Triple Malt is a French whisky blended from three single malts sourced from French distilleries, including one lightly peated whisky. The whiskies mature in new French oak and new American oak casks, then marry and finish in ex-cognac casks. Bottled at 46.1% ABV, Harmonie is released annually in small batches of just seven cognac casks. A bottle retails for around $190.
The flavor follows very much in suit behind this line, with a sprinkle of cinnamon added for good measure. The finish winds down grassy and a little spicy.
The spices put on quite a show to keep the fruits at bay, but when it settles down, the common theme of pears in cream comes through in the end. The spices return to harangue the tongue in the finish.
: Harmonie is mild and subtle in its flavors. The start is sweet like brown sugar. There are hints of smoke with a smoky finish reminiscent of a mild scotch. It’s also lightly floral.
The fruit from Heritage is largely absent here, replaced by a thin layer of smokiness, notes of leather, a stronger spice bill, and a finish that brings some brown sugar sweetness into the mix. Even if you weren’t a fan of peat, I’d think you’d find this whisky fairly harmless and, like Heritage, quite a subdued experience.
