DOMAINE DES HAUTES GLACES
10 years after it was established, Domaine des Hautes Glaces is crowned "Spirit of the Year" by prestigious French wine publication, Revue du vin de France.
Created 10 years ago in the heart of the Trièves Mountains, in the French Alps, the Domaine des Hautes Glaces distillery is entering its second decade with a new distillery and new ambitions. But its original philosophy remains unchanged: to make a whisky from ingredients sourced only from its terroir, in line with organic and rural production methods. The new distillery now has five stills, which continue to be heated by wood pellet burners, three beautiful oak vats of 12,000 litres each, and a magnificent cellar, semi-underground, that can hold up to 4,000 casks.
In 2022, Domaine des Hautes Glaces was named "Spirit of the year" by the prestigious Revue du vin de France. This distinction rewards the dedication and hard work of everyone who has had a hand in the distilleryʼs bold adventure over the past 10 years: farmers, distillers, wine and spirit merchants, restaurant owners, sommeliers and customers. The distinction also underlines the benefits of ecological farming methods and practices, not only in addressing environmental and climate challenges, but also in delivering on taste, especially for this new category of spirits currently making headlines in the industry: French whisky.
Introducing X0° was another high point of the year. The Domaine’s first 10-year matured whisky, the fruit of 10 years of organic, regenerative agricultural practices and a decade dedicated to finding a new and different approach to making whisky. X0° is diverse. The whisky is made by putting together barley and rye grown in Domaine des Hautes Glaces with a micro-blend of a few dozen litres from aged cognac, yellow wine and Armagnac casks. Another special feature of this limited edition of 352 numbered bottles is its maturity in 250-litre amphorae. X0° launched in November 2021 - to resounding success with whisky-drinkers.
2022/2023 will see Domaine des Hautes Glaces inaugurate its new malting plant, completing its mastery over every single stage in the creation of its spirits. The Domaine has also developed the grounds around the distillery, and opened a shop and two tasting rooms for an all-round visitor experience.