Features

Origin: France (Alsace & Tarare)
Type: Premium single malt
Distillery: Ninkasi
Degree: 46%
Capacity: 70 cl (with case)
Aging: New French oak barrels & ex-Chardonnay barrels
Barrels: New French oak (50%), ex-Chardonnay barrels (50%)

Tasting notes

Nose: Fruity and buttery, with aromas of ripe peaches and apricots , accompanied by sweet notes of fresh malt and light woody vanilla .
Palate: Gourmet, marked by a vanilla sweetness , touches of yellow peaches and dried apricots , all enhanced by a subtle marine salinity which balances the roundness.
Finish: Long and honeyed, with aromas of candied fruit and a final hint of beeswax and sweet salinity .

Pairings and tasting moments

Ideal as an elegant digestif , accompanied by a platter of mature cheeses (Comté, Beaufort), which will highlight the vanilla sweetness and subtle salinity. Perfect for enhancing an almond cake or a tarte tatin , whose caramelized fruit marries wonderfully with the notes of Chardonnay. Also to be enjoyed as a refined aperitif with some salted roasted almonds to enhance the marine salinity and malt aromas.

Product History

Ninkasi Whisky Chardonnay is the very first permanent single malt created by the Ninkasi distillery, a pioneer in the French brewing and whisky-craft revival. Launched in 2015 by Christophe Fargier and his team, the Ninkasi Whisky Experience gave birth to this unique creation, the result of an ambitious blend of new French oak barrels and ex-Chardonnay barrels from the finest Alsatian terroirs. This marriage of barrels gives the whisky an exceptional aromatic richness, combining the intensity of neutral wood and the fruity delicacy of white wine. The Ninkasi distillery, usually renowned for its craft beers in Lyon, has chosen to transpose its brewing expertise to malt production, extending the French tradition of high-end single malt whisky. Since installing its Charentais copper stills on the historic site of Tarare, in a former dye house founded by the McIntosh brothers, Ninkasi has successfully combined modernity and authenticity. Ninkasi Whisky Chardonnay thus represents the brand's avant-garde and convivial spirit, paying homage to the Sumerian goddess Ninkasi while offering a new benchmark in the list of renowned French whiskies.

The brand

Ninkasi was born in Lyon in 1997 under the impetus of Christophe Fargier, who imagined a brewpub concept combining craft beer and music in a modern and friendly place. Building on its success in the brewing world, Ninkasi embarked on the adventure of French whisky in 2015, with the creation of the Ninkasi Whisky Experience. Production took place in Tarare, in a century-old former dye house founded by two Scots, the McIntosh brothers. Ninkasi single malts are distilled from the house brew , in two Charentais copper stills, then aged in carefully selected barrels using short supply chains. The Chardonnay barrels come from the best estates in Alsace, while the new French oak comes from sustainably managed local forests. Driven by values of authenticity , diversity and conviviality , the brand is also committed to local ingredients : sloe for the gin and local wine barrels for aging. Today, Ninkasi Whisky is one of the essential references in artisanal French whisky , acclaimed for the quality of its innovative single malts.

About the distillery

The Ninkasi distillery draws on a passion passed down from generation to generation for the production of exceptional spirits. Founded in 1997 in Lyon by Christophe Fargier, Ninkasi first distinguished itself in the world of craft beer by creating a brewpub concept combining music, conviviality and local brewing. Building on this brewing success, the Ninkasi team wanted to extend its expertise to the world of French whisky . In 2015, the Ninkasi Whisky Experience was born in Tarare, in a former century-old dye house founded in the ^19th century by the Scottish McIntosh brothers. This historic site, converted into a modern distillery, now houses two Charentais copper stills, symbols of the blending of French tradition and Scottish heritage. The heart of the production lies in the development of a French single malt from 100% local barley malt, sourced from agricultural cooperatives committed to responsible agriculture. Distillation is based on the double distillation method in Charente columns, offering an aromatic purity and finesse typical of “French” whisky. The heating stage is carefully controlled, allowing the fruity and malty aromas to be preserved before the aging stage. Aging is the cornerstone of the identity of Ninkasi Whisky Chardonnay. The distillery favors new French oak barrels to bring aromas of vanilla , wood and sweet spices . At the same time, the use of ex-Chardonnay barrels from the best Alsatian vineyards – located just a few kilometers from Lyon – brings a fruity and buttery dimension, inherited from the wine-growing terroir . These barrels, previously selected for their balanced taste profile, impart to the whisky notes of peaches , fresh apricots and a subtle marine salinity , the unique signature of Ninkasi Whisky Chardonnay.

Ninkasi's approach is firmly rooted in a logic of short supply chains and local development . The wine barrels come exclusively from estates located in Alsace, while the French oak used for the casks comes from certified, sustainably managed forests. This geographical proximity allows for better traceability and a reduced carbon footprint, while promoting regional heritage. The malt, meanwhile, is produced from barley grown in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, fed without synthetic pesticides, guaranteeing a natural and preserved aromatic profile. At the same time, Ninkasi encourages innovation and sensory exploration. The Master Distiller team works closely with oenologists and sommeliers to refine the whisky's aromatic profile, adjusting the aging time and the proportion of Chardonnay casks. The barrels are regularly sampled for tastings to determine the ideal moment for blending. This meticulous control allows for consistency batch after batch, guaranteeing the consumer a consistent and qualitative experience.

Finally, Ninkasi's commitment extends beyond production. The distillery organizes immersive tours, offering visitors the opportunity to discover each step—from barley harvesting to barrel cutting, distillation, and aging. These tours reinforce the brand's educational and ecotourism dimension, while promoting local expertise. By choosing Ninkasi, French single malt whisky lovers are opting for an authentic product, the result of a successful marriage of Caribbean (beer) and Alsatian winemaking traditions, enhanced by artisanal know-how that respects the environment and the terroir.