“You may be surprised to learn that a Belgium man is making Scotch Whisky in the heart of Burgundy! The man in question is Michel Couvreur who is a passionate perfectionist when it comes to Scotch Whisky. We were warmly greeted by Michel, at his old timbered home in the heart of Burgundy at Bouze-Les-Beaune, and he led us on a tour of his labyrinth of cellars. He is an amiable and extremely articulate man with a shock of white hair giving him a “mad Professor” look. In the 1950’s Michel Couvreur, originally from Belgium, landed in Burgundy and made and marketed wine there. He took frequent trips to England, Ireland and Scotland where he sold his wine, but was particularly drawn to Scotland for the fabulous fishing and hunting. Eventually he moved to England in 1956, then to Scotland in 1964 where he became involved in the production process of whisky - from the selection of the most ancient strains of cereals to employing extremely rare sherry casks. It became his dream to pursue the passion he had for making a unique Scotch Whisky. Unfortunately times were changing in the whisky production and the old methods were being replaced by new cheaper ones. The old sherry casks traditionally used were replaced by steel or plastic Michel decided to return to France in the 70’s to be nearer to where the sherry casks originate and he dug his own cellar in the hillsides of Bouze-les-Beaune. Here, about midway between the Andalusian vineyards and the Scottish Highlands, Michel Couvreur matures his Scotch in these rare sherry casks (Pedro Ximenez and/or Palomino) to produce an exceptional whisky. This large and humid cellar leads to a 500-foot tunnel with galleries full of natural springs, surrounded by rows of barrels. The barrels have been impregnated for decades by the powerful and voluptuous Jerez (Sherry) and here the germinated barley (or malted barley) mixed with water he brings from Loch Katrine in Scotland slowly becomes whisky. A small room far from any light called "the paradise" shelters some rare, old and elegant nectar, carefully kept in sealed demijohns. Michel’s handcrafted whiskies are recognized as the epitome of excellence despite the challenges created by the general automation of production. In 1988, the Danish media called him “The Last of the Mohicans”... He is indeed one of the last of the artisanal producers of Scotch Whisky in the World.” Kysela spirit merchants
Dis’ Closure is a single cask. A single malt whisky from “Cognac” distillation with a typical mixed marine and peaty fragrance. To maintain its intensity of taste, it is bottled at 50% alcohol by volume. Copper tint, slightly gilded. Earthy flavour made of flaxen butter and heather (floral). Fat, silky, powerful and exuberant. Liquorice wood’ Slight bitterness wrapped with softness. Absolutely unclassifiable, a bitter-sweet whisky… Lingering and long, it demands being savoured in peace.
