Production places
Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.
No documented production places are linked to this distillery yet.
Historie
The Les Hautes Glaces distillery is located in the Trièves area of Isère and is a farm that has been transformed into a malt house and distillery. A farm and estate shaped by nature and terroir are at the heart: the barn buildings have been converted into chai and cellars, and the site functions as a home for fermentation, production and community. The philosophy is built on the concept of «génie du lieu» and a locally engaged partner community, where cereals are grown and distilled within the same area. The concept of Biens Vivants describes a living community between farmers and the distillery, offering connection and openness to those who support and inspire the estate.
Produktion / Fremstilling
Hautes Glaces places emphasis on local engagement and in-house malting as well as distillation processes. Key points include:
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Indigène: Single Malt (100% malted barley), 44% vol, 50 cl. Double distillation over a wood-fired fire in a 25 hectoliter alambic. Aged in a blend of French oak casks (notably sessile and pedunculate, Cognac, Armagnac and wine). Parcel-based eaux-de-vie from vintages 2012–2019 are blended and adjusted continuously (ouillage) to 44°.
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S12U24: Single Spelt (100% Grand épautre malted), 53% vol, 50 cl. Used in double distillation and aged in a Cognac cask.
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Epistémè R15C25 ■ (Double maturation): 47% vol, 50 cl. 100% rye malted (Caroas), harvested in 2015 under Gabert climate; distilled in two ways (25 hl and 7 hl); aged in a set of different French oak casks under two maturation paths.
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Epistémè R15C25 ▲ (Triple maturation): 47% vol, 50 cl. 100% rye malted (Caroas), triple maturation in three different casks (new oak, Cognac roux, and ex-pinot gris).
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Epistémè-samlingen is described as an exploratory collection, where the same distillate is aged through different cask and chai routes to show terroir and know-how.
Produkter / Whisky-serier
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Indigène: Single Malt (100% barley), 44% ABV, 50 cl. The flagship expression featuring in-house infrastructure and the blending of parcel-based eaux-de-vie, with long aging in various cask types.
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S12U24: Single Spelt (100% Grand épautre malted), 53% ABV, 50 cl. An expression based on an old grain variety (spelt) and an influence from a Cognac cask.
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Epistémè R15C25 ■: Double maturation (47% ABV, 50 cl). Double-matured rye from Gabert 2015 (Caroas variety).
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Epistémè R15C25 ▲: Triple maturation (47% ABV, 50 cl). Rye from Gabert 2015, three different cask pathways.
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Les Intemporelles: Permanent expressions – two signature expressions focusing on wheat/barley and rye to highlight the notable terroirs and craftsmanship.
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Epistémè (the collection) describes an exploration of terroir through parcellaires and different cask types.
Besøg og oplevelser
The region offers activities such as guided tours of the distillery and Whisky & Gourmand Pairings workshop (with 4 whiskies and 4 meals). There is media coverage in Le Monde and other events such as Whisky & Accords Gourmands events at the estate.
Filosofi
Génie du lieu and the Trièves terroir are central: the plant nursery, the grains are grown in the area and distilled locally, creating a close connection between farming, refinement and exchange with those who support the estate. The concept of Les Biens Vivants describes community-building around living criteria and values rather than mass production.