Waterford Pique-Nique

Pique-Nique is a summer themed Micro Cuvée from Waterford, distilled in 2017 and bottled in July 2021. The release was targeted at European markets alongside Taiwan and China, with an outturn of 2,750 bottles. The assemblage draws on multiple Single Farm Origin distillates, following the Waterford Cuvée Concept of layering farm specific spirits inspired by Bordeaux and Champagne assemblage practice. Every bottle carries the TÉIREOIR code linking to the specific farms and casks behind the whisky.

Unusually for a Waterford release, the cask profile consists only of French oak and Vin Doux Naturel casks without an American oak component. French oak delivers a finer grained tannin structure and higher concentration of spice bearing whisky lactones, producing a drier, more peppery backbone. The Vin Doux Naturel casks, previously used to age the fortified sweet wines of southern France, add oxidised fruit esters and concentrated sweetness. The absence of Bourbon influence means less vanillin and coconut, with the wood signature dominated by clove, dried fruit and honey. Bottled at 50% without chill filtration or added colour.

Tasting notes run to dried fruit, chocolate, honey and sherried character, with a developed oak profile from the wine cask combination.